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THE 



POETICAL WORKS 




JOHN MILTON; 



A MEMOIR; 



EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS AFTER DESIGNS 
BY FUSELI, WESTALL, AND MARTIN. 



LONDON : 

H. G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 

1852. 



By Transfer 

MAR 30 1917 






-3S>^ 



By Transfer 

MAR 30 1917 



j. BILTONG, 

PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 

WOKING, SURREY. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 



Portrait to face the Title v* x+;; •**"% • 

Satan and Beelzebub 28 y 

The Deluge 257 * 

Tne Crucifixion , 272 

The Expulsion , . . . . 276 v 

The Third Temptation , . 330 * 

Silence . . . , 417^ 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Memoir of John Milton » . . . . 1 

The Verse 19 

s PARADISE LOST. 

BoojcX 21 

- Book II 39 

Book III 65 

Book IV 83 

BookV 107 

Book VI • 129 

Book VII , 151 

Book VIII 167 

Book IX 185 

BookX 213 

Book XI 239 

Book XII 261 

PARADISE REGAINED. 

Book 1 277 

Book II 291 

Bonk III . ... 305 

Book IV 317 



Samson Agonistes 333 

Comus " • 377 

.Lycidas 407 

L' Allegro 412 

II Penseroso 416 

Arcades . 420 

SONNETS. 

i. To the Nightingale. . 423 

U. Donna leggiadra, &c ib. 

nr. Qual in colle aspro, &c 424 

Canzone, Ridonsi, &c ib. 

iv. Diodati, &c ib. 

v. Per Certo i bei, &c 425 

vi. Giovane piano, &c ib. 

vn. On his being arrived to the age of twenty-three . ib. 



VI CONTENTS. 

viii. When the assault was intended to the City . . . 426 

IX. To a virtuous young lady ib. 

x. To the Lady Margaret Ley . 427 

-• xi. On the Detraction which followed on my writing . \ ., 
certain Treatises 1645 . . . . ; : ' . . J W ' 

xii. On the same 428 

xiii. To Mr. H. Lawes, on the publishing his airs . . ib. 

xiv. On the memory of Mrs. Catherine Thomson . . 429 

xv. To the Lord General Fairfax ib. 

xvi. To the Lord General Cromwell 430 

xvn. To Sir Henry Vane, the younger ib. 

xviii. On the Massacre in Piedmont 431 

xix. On his blindness ib. 

xx. To Mr. Lawrence ib. 

xxi. To Cyriack Skinner 432 

xxii- To the same ib. 

xxm. On his deceased wife , . 433 

ODES. 

On the morning of Christ's nativity 434 

The Passion 440 

Upon the Circumcision . . ; '441 

On the death of a fair infant . 442 

On Time 4*4 

At a solemn Music ib. 

On the Marchioness of Winchester ...*... 445 

On May morning 447 

MISCELLANIES. 

At a vacation Exercise in the College 448 

Epitaph on W. Shakspeare '<b. 

On Hobson, the University carrier 451 

On the same ib. 

On the Forcers of Conscience under the long Parliament 453 

TRANSLATIONS. 

5th Ode of Horace, Lib. I . .... 454 

From Jeoffrey of Monmouth ib. 

Fragments 455 

Psalm I *'*• 

Psalm II ib. 

Psalm III 457 

Psalm IV • ib. 

Psalm V 458 

Psalm VI 459 

Psalm VII 460 

Psalm VIII 4f>2 

Psalm LXXX ib. 

Psalm iJXXXT 464 

Psalm LXXXU 466 

Psalm LXXX II 1 467 

Psalm LXXXIV 468 

Psalm LXXXV 470 

Psalm LXXXVI 471 

XXXVII 473 

Psalm LXXXVIII ib. 

•hrase on Psalm CXIV 475 

CXXXVL 476 



CONTENTS. VU 
POEM AT A. 

PAOB 

De Auctore Testimonia . . 478 

ELEGIARUM LIBER. 

Ad Carolum Deodatum 483 

In Obitum Praecohis Academi Cantabrigiensis . . . 485 

In Obitum Praesulis Wintoniensis 486 

Ad Thomam Jnuium 488 

In adVentum veris 490 

Ad Carolum Deodatum 494 

Anno .^Etatis xix 496 

EPIGRAMMATUM LIBER. 

In Proditionem Bombardicam 499 

In eandem ib. 

In eandem ib. 

In eandem 500 

In Inventorem Bombardae ib. 

Ad Leohoram Romae Canentem ib. 

Ad eandem ib. 

Ad eandem 501 

In Salmasii Hundredam ib. 

In Salmasium ib. 

In Morum 502 

Apologus de Rustico et Hero ib. 

Ad Christinam Suecorum Reginam ib. 

SILVARUM LIBER. 

In Obitum Procaneellarii, Medici 503 

In Quihtum Novembris 504 

In Obitum Prsesulis Eliensit> 509 

Naturam non pari senium , . . ., 511 

De Idea Platonica , .... 512 

Ad Patrem 513 

Ad Salsillum Poetam Romanum segrotantem . . . . 51G 

Maftsus 517 

Epitaphium Damonis 519 

Ad Joannem Rousium 524 

Ad Cmistinam Suecorum Reginam 527 




LIFE OF JOHN MILTON. 



John Milton was by birth a gentleman, descended from 
the proprietors of Milton, near Thame, in Oxfordshire, one 
of whom forfeited his estate in the times of York and Lan- 
caster. Which side he took, is not known ; his descen- 
dant inherited no veneration for the White Rose. 

His grandfather John was keeper of the forest of Shot- 
over, a zealous papist, who disinherited his son because he 
had forsaken the religion of his ancestors. 

His father, John, who was the son disinherited, had re- 
course for his support to the profession of a scrivener. 
He was a man eminent for his skill in music, many of his 
compositions being still to be found ; and his reputation in 
his profession was such that he grew rich, and retired to 
an estate. He married a gentlewoman of the name of 
Caston, a Welsh family, by whom he had two sons, John, 
the poet, and Christopher, who studied the law, and ad- 
hered, as the law taught him, to the King's party, for 
which he was a while persecuted, but having, by his bro- 
ther's interest, obtained permission to live in quiet, he sup- 
ported himself so honourably by chamber-practice that, 
soon after the accession of King James, he was knighted 
and made a judge ; but, his constitution being too weak 
for business, he retired before any disreputable com- 
pliances became necessary. 

John, the poet, was born in his father's house, at tne 
Spread-Eagle in Bread-street, Dec. 9, 1608, between six 
and seven in the morning. His father appears to havi 
been very solicitous about his education ; for he was in 
structed at first by private tuition under the care of Tho- 
mas Young, who was afterwards chaplain co the English 
merchants at Hamburg, and of whom we have reason to 
think well, since his scholar considered him as worthy of 
an epistolary elegy. 

He was then sent to St. Paul's School, under the care 
of Mr. Gill • and removed, in the beginning of his six* 



*> THE LIFE OF MILTON. 

teen th year, to Christ-College, in Cambridge, where he 
was admitted a pensioner, Feb. 12, 1624. 

He was at this time eminently skilled in the Latin 
tongue ; and he himself, by annexing the dates to his first 
compositions, seems to commend the earliness of his own 
proficiency to the notice of posterity. But the product? 
of his vernal fertility have been surpassed by many, and 
particularly by his contemporary Cowley. 

At fifteen, a date which he uses till he is sixteen, he 
translated or versified two Psalms, 114 and 136, which he 
thought worthy of the public eye ; but they raise no great 
expectations : they would in any numerous school have 
obtained praise, but not excited wonder. 

Many of his elegies appear to have been written in his 
eighteenth year, by which it appears that he had then 
read the Roman authors with very nice discernment. JV£r. 
Hampton, the translator of Polybius, remarked that 
Milton was the first Englishman who, after the revival of 
letters, wrote Latin verses with classic elegance. 

Of the exercises, which the rulers of the University re- 
quired, some were published by him in his maturer years. 
They had been undoubtedly applauded ; for they were 
such as few could perform ; yet there is reason to suspect 
that he was regarded in his college with no great fondness. 
That he obtained no fellowship is certain. He took how- 
ever both the usual degrees; that of Bachelor in 1628, 
and that of Master in 1632. When he left the university 
he returned to his father, then residing at Horton in Buck- 
inghamshire, with whom he lived five years, in which time 
he is said to have read all the Greek and Latin writers. 

He began now to grow weary of the country, and had 
some purpose of taking chambers in the Inns of Court, 
when the death of his mother set him at liberty to travel, 
for which he obtained his father's consent, and Sir Henry 
Wotton's directions ; with the celebrated precept of pru- 
dence, 'thoughts close, and looks loose/ 

In 1638 he left England, and went first to Paris; 
where, by the favour of Lord Scudamore, he had the op- 
portunity of visiting Grotius, then residing at the French 
Court as Ambassador from Christina of Sweden. From 
Paris he hasted into Italy, of which he had with particular 
diligence studied the language and literature ; and though 
he seems to have intended a very quick perambulation of 
the country, staid two months at Florence; where he found 
his way into the academies, and produced his compositions 
with such applause as appears to have exalted him in his 
own opinion, and confirmed him in the hope, that, 'by 



THE LIFE OF MILTON. «J 

labour and intense study, which,' says he, ' I take to be 
my portion in this life, joined with a strong propensity of 
nature,' he might ' leave something so written to after- 
times, as they should not willingly let it die.' 

From Florence he went to Sienna, and from Sienna to 
Rome, where he was again received with kindness by the 
learned and the great. Holstenius, the keeper of the 
Vatican Library, vho had resided three years at Oxford 
introduced him to Cardinal Barberini ; and he, at a musi- 
cal entertainment, waited for him at the door, and led him 
by the hand into the assembly. Here Selvaggi praised 
him in a distich, and Salsilli in a tetrastic ; neither of them 
of much value. The Italians were gainers by this literary 
commerce; for the encomiums with which Milton repaid 
Salsilli, though not secure against a stern grammarian, 
turn the balance indisputably in Milton's favour. 

Of these Italian testimonies, poor as they are, he was 
proud enough to publish them before his poems ; though 
he says he cannot be suspected but to have known that 
they were said non tarn de se, quam supra se. 

At Rome, as at Florence, he staid only two months; a 
time indeed sufficient, if he desired only to ramble with an 
explainer of its antiquities, or to view palaces and count 
pictures ; but certainly too short for the contemplation of 
learning, policy, or manners. 

From Rome he passed on to Naples, in company of a 
hermit, a companion from whom little could be expected; 
yet to him Milton owed his introduction to Manso Marquisi 
of Villa, who had been before the patron of Tasso. Manso 
was enough delighted with his accomplishments to honour 
him with a sorry distich, in which he commends him foi 
every thing but his religion : and Milton, in return, ad- 
dressed him in a Latin poem, which must have raised a 
high opinion of English elegance and literature. 

His purpose was now to have visited Sicily and Greece ; 
but, hearing of the differences between the King and Par- 
liament, he thought it proper to hasten home, rather than 
pass his life in foreign amusements while his countrymen 
were contending for their rights. He therefore came back 
to Rome, though the merchants informed him of plots laid 
against him by the Jesuits, for the liberty of his conversa- 
tions on religion. He had sense enough to judge that 
there was no danger, and therefore kept on his way, and 
acted as before,, neither obtruding nor shunning contro- 
versy. He had perhaps given some offence by visiting 
Galileo, then a prisoner in the Inquisition for philosophical 
heresy ; and at Naples he was told by Manso that, by his 



4 'HIE LTFE OF MILTON. 

declarations on religious questions, he had excluded himself 
from some distinctions which he should otherwise have 
paid him. But such conduct, though it did not please, 
was yet sufficiently safe ; and Milton staid two months 
more at Rome, and went on to Florence without moles- 
tation. 

From Florence he visited Lucca. He afterwards went 
to Venice ; and, having sent away a collection of music 
and other books, travelled to Geneva, which he probably 
considered as the metropolis of orthodoxy. 

Here he reposed as in a congenial element, and became 
acquainted with John Diodati and Frederick Spanheim, 
two learned professors of Divinity. From Geneva he 
passed through France ; and came home, after an absence 
of a year and three months. 

At his return he heard of the death of his friend Charles 
Diodati ; a man whom it is reasonable to suppose of great 
merit, since he was thought by Milton worthy of a poem, 
intituled ' Epitaphium Damonis,' written with the common 
but childish imitation of pastoral life. 

He now hired a lodging at the house of one Russel, a 
tailor, in St. Bride's Church-yard, and undertook the 
education of John and Edward Philips, his sister's sons. 
Finding his rooms too little, he took a garden house in 
Aldersgate-Street, which was not then so much out of the 
world as it is now; and chose his dwelling at the upper 
end of a passage, that he might avoid the noise of the 
street. Here he received more boys, to be boarded and 
instructed. 

Let not our veneration for Milton forbid us to look with 
some degree of merriment on great promises and small 
performance ; on the man who hastens home, because his 
countrymen are contending for their liberty, and, when he 
reaches the scene of action, vapours away his patriotism in 
a private boarding-school. This is the period of his life 
from which all his biographers seem inclined to shrink. 
They are unwilling that Milton should be degraded to a 
schoolmaster; but, since it cannot be denied that he 
taught boys, one finds out that he taught for nothing, and 
another that his motive was only zeal for the propagation 
of learning and virtue ; and all tell what they do not know 
to be true, only to excuse an act which no wise man will 
consider as in itself disgraceful. His father was alive; 
his allowance was not ample ; and he supplied its defici- 
encies by an honest and useful employment. 

He now began to engage in the controversies of the 
times, and lent his breath to blow the flames of conten- 



THE LIFE OF MILTON O 

tion. In 1641 he published a treatise of ' Reformat on, in 
two books,' against the Established Church ; being willing 
to help the Puritans, who were, he says, inferior to the 
Prelates in learning. 

Hall, bishop of Norwich, had published a ; Humble 
Remonstrance,' in defence of Episcopacy; to which, in 
1641, five ministers, Stephen Marshall, Edmund Calamy, 
Thomas Young, Matthew Newcomen, William Spurstow, 
of whose names the first letters made the celebrated word 
Smectymnuus, gave their Answer. Of this Answer a 
Confutation was attempted by the learned Usher ; and to 
the Confutation, Milton published a Reply, intituled ' Of 
Prelatical Episcopacy, and whether it may be deduced 
from the Apostolical Times, by virtue of those Testimonies 
which are alleged to that Purpose in some late Treatises, 
one whereof goes under the Name of James, Lord Bishop 
of Armagh.' 

His father, after Reading was taken by Essex, came to 
reside in his house ; and his school increased. At Whit- 
suntide, in his thirty-fifth year, he married Mary, the 
daughter of Mr. Powel, a Justice of the Peace in Oxford- 
shire. He brought her to town with him, and expected 
all the advantages of a conjugal life. The lady, -however, 
seems not much to have delighted in the pleasures of spare 
diet and hard study ; for, as Philips relates, ' having for a 
month led a philosophic life, after having been used at 
home to a great house, and much company and joviality, 
her friends, possibly by her own desire, made earnest suit 
to have her company the remaining part of the summer ; 
which was granted, upon a promise of her return at 
Michaelmas.' 

Milton was too busy to much miss his wife ; he pursued 
his studies ; and now and then visited the Lady Margaret 
Leigh, whom he has mentioned in one of his sonnets. At 
last, Michaelmas arrived ; but the lady had no inclination 
to return to the sullen gloom of her husband's habitation, 
and therefore very willingly forgot her promise. He sent 
her a letter, but had no answer : he sent more with the 
same success. It could be alleged that letters miscarry ; 
he therefore dispatched a messenger, being by this time 
too angry to go himself. His messenger was sent back 
with some contempt. The family of the lady were Ca- 
valiers. 

In a man whose opinion of his own merit was like Mil- 
ton's, less provocation than this might have raised violent 
resentment. Milton soon determined to repudiate her for 
disobedience ; and, being one of those who rould easily 



THE LIFE OF MILTON. 

find arguments to justify inclination, published (in 1644) 
' The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce ;' which was 
followed by '■ The Judgment of Martin Bucer, concerning 
Divorce ;' and the next year, his ' Tetrachordon, Exposi- 
tions upon the four chief Places of Scripture which treat 
of Marriage.' 

This innovation was opposed, as might be expected, by 
the clergy, who, then holding their famous Assembly at 
Westminster, procured that the author should be called 
before the Lords ; ' but that house/ says Wood, ' whether 
approving the doctrine, or not favouring his accusers, did 
soon dismiss him. 

From this time it is observed that he became an enemy 
to the Presbyterians, whom he had favoured before. He 
that changes his party by his humour is not more virtuous 
than he that changes it by his interest : he loves himself 
-ather than truth. 

His wife and her relations now found that Milton was 
not an unresisting sufferer of injuries ; and, perceiving that 
he had begun to put his doctrine in practice, by courting 
a young woman of great accomplishments, the daughter 
of one Doctor Davis, who was however not ready to 
comply, they resolved to endeavour a re-union. He went 
sometimes to the house of one Blackborough, his relation, 
m the lane of St. Martin's-le-Grand, and at one of his 
usual visits was surprised to see. his wife come from another 
room, and implore forgiveness on her knees. He resisted 
lier entreaties for a while : i but partly,' says Philips, ' his 
own generous nature, more inclinable to reconciliation 
than to perseverance in anger or revenge, and partly the 
strong intercession of friends on both sides, soon brought 
him to an act of oblivion and a firm league of peace.' It 
were injurious to omit, that Milton afterwards received 
her father and her brothers in his own house, when they 
were distressed, with other Royalists. 

He published about the same time his ' Areopagitica, a 
Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of unlicensed 
Printing.' 

About this time (1G45) a collection of his Latin and 
English poems appeared, in which the ' Allegro ' and 
' Penseroso,' with some others, were first published. 

He had taken a larger house in Barbican for the recep- 
tion of scholars ; but the numerous relations of his wife, to 
whom he generously granted refuge for a while, occupied 
his rooms. In time, however, they went away; ' and the 
house again,' says Philips, < now looked like a house of the 
Muses only, though the accession of scholars was not 



THE LITE OF MIL ION. 



great. Possibly his having proceeded so far in the edu- 
cation of youth may have been the occasion of his adver- 
saries calling him pedagogue and school-master : whereas 
it is well known he never set up for a public school, to 
teach all the young fry of a parish ; but only was willing 
to impart his learning and knowledge to his relations, and 
the sons of gentlemen who were his intimate friends, and 
that neither his writings nor his way of teaching ever 
savoured in the least of pedantry.' 

About the time that the army was new-modelled (1654), 
he removed to a smalle-r house in Holborn, which opened 
backward into Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. He is not known to 
have published any thing afterwards till the King's death, 
when, finding his murderers condemned by the Presbyte- 
rians, he wrote a treatise to justify it, and to compose the 
minds of the people. 

Cromwell had now dismissed the Parliament by the 
authority of which he had destroyed monarchy, and com- 
menced monarch himself, under the title of Protector, but 
with kingly, and more than kingly, power. That his autho- 
rity was lawful never was pretended ; he himself founded 
his right only in necessity ; but Milton, having now tasted 
the honey of public employment, would not return to 
hunger and philosophy, but continued to exercise his 
office. 

He had now been blind for some years ; but his vigour 
of intellect was such that he was not disabled to discharge 
his office of Latin Secretary, or continue his controversies. 
His mind was too eager to be diverted, and too strong to 
be subdued. 

About this time his first wife died in childbed, having 
left him three daughters. As he probably did not much 
love her, he did not long continue the appearance of la- 
menting her ; but, after a short time, married Catherine, 
the daughter of one Captain Woodcock of Hackney ; a 
woman doubtless educated in opinions like his own. She 
died, within a year, of childbirth, or some distemper that 
followed it ; and her husband honoured her memory with 
a poor sonnet. 

As Secretary to the Protector, he is supposed to have 
written the ' Declarations of the Reasons for a War with 
Spain.' His agency was considered as of great impor- 
tance ; for, when a treaty with Sweden was artfully sus- 
pended, the delay was publicly imputed to Mr. Milton's 
indisposition ; and the Swedish agent was provoked to ex- 
press his wonder, ' that only one man in England could 
write Latin, and that man blind.' 



« THE LIFE OF MILTON. 

Being now forty-seven years old, and seeing himself 
disencumbered from external interruptions, he seems to 
have recollected his former purposes, and to have resumed 
three great works which he had planned for his future em- 
ployment ; an epic poem, the history of his country, and 
a dictionary of the Latin tongue. 

To collect a dictionary seems a work of all others least 
practicable in a state of blindness, because it depends 
upon perpetual and minute inspection and collation. Nor 
would Milton probably have begun it after he had lost 
his eyes; but, having had it always before him, he conti- 
nued it, says Philips, almost to his dying-day ; but the 
papers were so discomposed and deficient that they could 
not be fitted for the press. The compilers of the Latin 
Dictionary, printed at Cambridge, had the use of those 
collections in three folios ; but what was their fate after- 
wards is not known. 

To compile a history from various authors, when they 
can only be consulted by other eyes, is not easy, nor pos- 
sible, but with more skilful and attentive help than can be 
commonly obtained; and it was probably the difficulty of 
consulting and comparing that stopped Milton's narrative 
at the Conquest ; a period at which affairs were not yet 
very intricate, nor authors very numerous. 

For the subject of his epic poem, after much delibera- 
tion, long choosing, and beginning late, he fixed upon 
' Paradise Lost ;' a design so comprehensive that it could 
be justified only by success. He had once designed to cele- 
brate King Arthur, as he hints in his verses to Mansus; but 
' Arthur was reserved,' says Fenton, ' to another destiny,' 

But, while his greater designs were advancing, having 
now, like many other authors, caught the love of publica- 
tion, he amused himself, as he couldVwith little produc- 
tions. He sent to the press (1658) srmanuscript of Ra- 
leigh, called ' The Cabinet Council ;' and next year grati- 
fied his malevolence to the clergy, by a 'Treatise of Civil 
Power in Ecclesiastical Cases, and the Means of removing 
Hirelings out of the Church.' 

Oliver was now dead ; Richard was constrained to re- 
sign : the system of extemporary government, which had 
been held together only by force, naturally fell into frag- 
ments when that force was taken away ; and Milton saw 
himself and his cause in equal danger. But he had still 
4iope of doing something. He wrote letters, which Toland 
has published, to such men as he thought friends to the 
new Commonwealth ; and even in the year of the Resto- 
ration he ' bated no jot of heart or hope,' but was fantas- 



.THE LIFE OF MILTON. 9 

tical enough to think that the nation, agitated as it was, 
might be settled by a pamphlet, called * A ready and easy 
Way to establish a free Commonwealth ;' which was, how- 
ever, enough considered to be both seriously and ludi- 
crously answered. 

The obstinate enthusiasm of the commonwealth-men 
.was very remarkable. When the King was apparently re- 
turning, Harrington, with a few associates as fanatical as 
himself, used to meet, with all the gravity of political im- 
portance, to settle an equal government by rotation ; and 
Milton, kicking when he could strike no longer, was 
foolish enough to publish, a few weeks before the Resto- 
ration, ' Notes upon a Sermon preached by one Griffiths, 
intituled, The Fear of God and the King.' To these notes 
an answer was written by L'Estrange, in a pamphlet 
petulantly called ' No Blind Guides.' 

But whatever Milton could write, or men of greater 
activity could do, the King was now about to be restored 
with the irresistible approbation of the people. He was 
therefore no longer Secretary, and was consequently obliged 
to quit the house which he held by his office ; and, pro- 
portioning his sense of danger to his opinion of the impor- 
tance of his writings, thought it convenient to seek some 
shelter, and hid himself for a time in Bartholomew-Close, 
by West-Smithfield. 

The King, with lenity of which the world has had per- 
haps no other example, declined to be the judge or aven- 
ger of his own or his father's wrongs ; and promised to admit 
into the Act of Oblivion all except those whom the Parlia- 
ment should except ; and the Parliament doomed none to 
capital punishment but the wretches who had immediately 
co-operated in the murder of the King. Milton was cer- 
tainly not one of tiiem ; he had only justified what they 
had done. * 

This justification was indeed sufficiently offensive ; and 
(June 16) an order was issued to seize Milton's * Defence,' 
and Goodwin's ' Obstructors of Justice,' another book of 
the same tendency, and burn them by the common hang- 
man. The Attorney-general was ordered to prosecute the 
authors ; but Milton was not seized, nor perhaps very 
diligently pursued. 

Not long after (August 19) the flutter of innumerable 
bosoms was stilled by an act, which the King, that his 
mercy might want no recommendation of elegance, rather 
called an Act of Oblivion than of Grace. Goodwin was 
named, with nineteen more, as incapacitated for any pub- 
lic trust ; but of Milton there was no exception. 



10 THE LIFE OF MILTON. 

Of this tenderness shown to Milton the curiosity of 
mankind has not forborne to inquire the reason. Burnet 
thinks lie was forgotten ; but this is another instance 
which may confirm Dalrymple's observation, who says 
' that whenever Burnet's narrations are examined, he 
appears to be mistaken.' 

Forgotten he was not ; for his prosecution was ordered ; • 
it must be therefore by design that he was included in the 
general oblivion. He is said to have had friends in the 
house, such as Marvel, Morrice, and Sir Thomas Clarges : 
and undoubtedly a man like him must have had influence. 
A very particular story of his escape is told by Richardson 
in his Memoirs, which he received from Pope, as delivered 
by Betterton, who might have heard it from Davenant. 
In the war between the King and Parliament, Davenant 
was made prisoner and condemned to die ; but was spared 
at the request of Milton. When the turn of success 
brought Milton into the like danger, Davenant repayed 
the benefit by appearing in his favour. Here is a reci- 
procation of generosity and gratitude so pleasing, that the 
tale makes its own way to credit. In Cunningham's 
History of Great Britain, a different account of the means 
by which Milton secured himself is given. ' Milton, Latin 
secretary to Cromwell, distinguished by his writings in 
favour of the rights and liberties of the people, pretended 
to be dead, and had a public funeral procession. The king 
applauded his policy in escaping the punishment of death, 
by a seasonable show of dying.' 

The contrivance was not unlikely to succeed, if practised, 
with Charles II., whose resentment was capable of being 
diverted by the dexterity of wit. 

The publication of the Act of Oblivion put him in 
the same condition with his fellow-smbjects. He was, 
however, upon some pretence now not known, in the 
custody of the serjeant in December ; and when he was 
released, upon his refusal of the fees demanded, he 
and the serjeant were called before the house. He was 
now safe within the shade of oblivion, and knew him- 
self to be as much out of the power of a griping 
officer as any other man. How the question was de- 
termined is not known. Milton would hardly have 
contended, but that he knew himself to have right on 
his side. 

He then removed to Jewin-street, near Aldersgatc* 
street ; and, being blind and by no means wealthy, wanted 
a domestic companion and attendant ; and therefore, by 
the recommendation of Dr. Paget, married Elizabeth 



THE LIFE OF MILTON. 11 

Minshul, of a gentleman's family in Cheshire, probably 
without a tbrtune. 

Soon after his marriage, according to an obscure story, 
he was offered the continuance of his employment, and 
oeing pressed by his wife to accept it, answered, ' You 
like other women, want to ride in your coach ; my wish 
is to live and die an honest man.' If he considered the 
Latin Secretary as exercising any of the powers of govern- 
ment, he that had shared authority either with the Parlia- 
ment or Cromwell, might have foreborne to talk very loudly 
of his honesty ; and if he thought the office purely minis- 
terial, he certainly might have honestly retained it under 
the King. But this tale has too little evidence to deserve 
a disquisition j large offers and sturdy rejections arc among 
the most common topics of falsehood. 

He had so much either of prudence, or gratitude, that 
he forebore to disturb the new settlement with any of his 
political or ecclesiastical opinions, and from this time 
devoted himself to poetry and literature. 

About this time Elwood the Quaker, being recommended 
to him as one who would read Latin to him for the advan- 
tage of his conversation, attended him every afternoon, 
except on Sundays. Milton, who, in his letter to Hartlib, 
had declared, that to read Latin with an English mouth is 
as ill a hearing as Law French, required that Elwood 
should learn and practise the Italian pronunciation, which, 
he said, was necessary, if he would talk with foreigners, 
Elwood complied with the directions, and improved him- 
self by his attendance ; for he relates, that Milton, having 
a curious ear, knew by his voice when he read what he 
did not understand, and would stop him, and open the 
most difficult passages. 

In a short time he took a house in the Artillery- Walk, 
leading to Bunhill-fields ; the mention of which concludes 
the register of Milton's removals and habitations. He 
lived longer in this place than any other 

He was now confessedly and visibly employed upon his 
poem ' Paradise Lost,' of which the progress might be noted 
by those witli whom he was familiar ; for he was obliged 
when he had composed as many lines as his memory would 
conveniently retain, to employ some friend in writing them, 
having, at least for part of the time, no regular attendant. 
This gave opportunity to observations and reports. 

Mr. Philips observes that there was a very remarkable 
circumstance in the composure of * Paradise Lost,' — 
1 which I have particular reason,' says he, * to remember ; 
for whereas I had the perusal of it from the very begining 



12 THE LIFE OF MILTOK. 

for some years, as I went from time to time to visit him, 
in parcels of ten, twenty, or thirty verses at a time (which, 
being written by whatever hand came next, might possibly 
want correction as to the orthography and pointing), 
having, as the summer came on, not been showed any for 
a considerable while, and desiring the reason thereof, was 
answered, that his vein never happily flowed but from the 
Autumnal Equinox to the Vernal ; and that whatever he 
attempted at other times was never to his satisfaction, 
though he courted his fancy never so much ; so that, in all 
the years he was about this poem, he may be said to have 
spent half his time therein.' 

When the plague (1665) raged in London, Milton took 
refuge at Chalfont in Bucks : where Elwood, who had 
taken the house for him, first saw a complete copy of 
Paradise Lost, and, having perused it, said to him, ' Thou 
hast said a great deal upon Paradise Lost ; what hast thou 
to say upon Paradise Found !" 

Next year, when the danger of infection had ceased, 
lie returned to Bunhill-fields ; and designed the publica- 
tion of his poem. A license was necessary, and he could 
expect no great kindness from a chaplain of the arch- 
bishop of Canterbury. He seems, however, to have been 
treated with tenderness ; for, though objections were made 
to particular passages, and among them to the simile of 
the sun eclipsed in the first book, yet the license was 
granted; and he sold his copy, April 27, 1667, to Samuel 
Simmons, for an immediate payment of five pounds, with 
a stipulation to receive five pounds more when thirteen 
hundred should be sold of the first edition ; and again 
five pounds after the sale of the same number of the 
second edition ; and another five pounds after the same 
sale of the third. None of the three editions were to be 
extended beyond fifteen hundred copies. 

The first edition was of ten books, in a small quarto. 
The titles were varied from year to year : and an advertise- 
ment and the arguments of the books were omitted in 
some copies, and inserted in others. 

The sale gave him in two years a right to his second 
payment, for which the receipt was signed April 26, 1669. 
The second edition was not given till 1674; it was printed 
in small octavo ; and the number of books was increased 
to twelve, by a division of the seventh and twelfth; and 
some other small improvements were made. The third 
edition was published in 1678 ; and the widow, to whom 
the copy was then to devolve, sold all her claims to Sim- 
mons for eight, pounds, according to her receipt given 



THE LIFE OF MILTON. 13 

Dec. 21, 1680. Simmons had already agreed to transfer 
the whole right to Brabazon Aylmer for twenty-five pounds , 
and Aylrner sold to Jacob Tonson half, August 17, 1683 
half, March 24, 1690, at a price considerably enlarged. 
In the history of ' Paradise Lost' a deduction thus minute 
will rather gratify than fatigue. 

Three years after his ' Paradise Lost' (1667), he pub- 
lished his ' History of England,' comprising the whole 
fable of Geoffery of Monmouth, and continued to the 
Norman Invasion. Why he should have given the first 
part, which he seems not to believe, and which is univer- 
sally rejected, it is difficult to conjecture. The style is 
harsh ; but it has something of rough vigour, which per- 
haps may often strike, though it cannot please. 

The same year were printed * Paradise Regained ;' and 
Sampson Agonistes,' a tragedy written in imitation of the 
Ancients, and never designed by the author for the stage. 
As these poems were published by another bookseller, it 
has been asked whether Simmons was discouraged from 
receiving them by the slow sale of the former ? Why a 
writer changed his bookseller a hundred years ago, is dif- 
ficult to discover. Certainly, he who in two years sells 
thirteen hundred copies of a volume in quarto, bought for 
two payments of five pounds each, has no reason to repent 
his purchase. 

When Milton showed ' Paradise Regained' to Elwood, 
' This,' said he, ' is owing to you ; for you put it in my 
head by the question you put to me at Chalfont, which 
otherwise I had not thought of.' 

His last poetical offspring was his favourite. He could 
not, as Elwood relates, endure to hear Paradise Lost pre- 
ferred to Paradise Regained. 

His polemical disposition again revived. He had now 
been safe so long, that he forgot his fears, and published a 
' Treatise of true Religion, Heresy, Schism, Toleration, and 
the best Means to prevent the Growth of Popery.' 

He now reprinted his juvenile poems, with some ad- 
ditions. 

In the last year of his life he sent to the press, seeming to 
take delight in publication, a collection of Familiar Epistles 
in Latin ; to which, being too few to make a volume, he 
added some academical exercises, which perhaps he pe- 
rused with pleasure, as they recalled to his memory the days 
of youth, but for which, nothing but veneration for his 
name could now procure a reader. 

When he had attained his sixty-sixth year, the gout, 
with which he had been Ions: tormented, prevailed over the 



14 THE LIFE OF MILTON * 

enfeebled powers of nature. He died by a quiet and 
silent expiration, about the tenth of November, 1674, at 
his house in Bunhill-fields ; and was buried next his father 
in the chancel of St. Giles at Cripplegate. His funeral 
was very splendidly and numerously attended. 

Upon his grave there is supposed to have been no me- 
morial ; but in our time a monument has been erected in 
Westminster-Abbey ' To the Author of Paradise Lost,' by 
Mr. Benson, who has in the inscription bestowed more 
words upon himself than upon Milton. 

When the inscription for the monument of Philips, in 
which he was said to be soli Miltono secundus, was ex- 
hibited to Dr. Sprat, then Dean of Westminster, he refused 
to admit it ; the name of Milton was, in his opinion, too 
detestable to be read on the wall of a building dedicated 
to devotion. Atterbury, who succeeded him, being author 
of the inscription, permitted its reception. ' And such 
has been the change of public opinion,' said Dr. Gregory, 
that I have seen erected in the church a statue of that 
man, whose name I once knew considered as a pollution of 
its walls.' 

Milton has the reputation of having been in his youth 
eminently beautiful, so as to have been called the Lady of 
his college. His hair, which was of a light brown, parted 
at the fore-top, and hung down upon his shoulders, accord- 
ing to the picture which he has given of Adam. He was, 
however, not of the heroic stature, but rather below the 
middle size, according to Mr. Richardson, who mentions 
him as having narrowly escaped from being short and 
thick. He was vigorous and active, and delighted in the 
exercise of the sword, in which he is related to have been 
eminently skilful. His weapon was, I believe, not the 
rapier, but the back-sword, of which he recommends the 
use in his book on*Education. 

His eyes are said never to have been bright ; but, if he 
was a dexterous fencer, they must have been once quick. 

His domestic habits, so far as they are known, were 
those of a severe student. He drank little strong drink of 
any kind, and fed without excess in quantity, and in his 
earlier years without delicacy of choice. In his youth he 
studied late at night ; but afterwards changed his hours, 
and rested in bed from nine to four in the summer, and five 
in the winter. The course of his day was best known after 
he was blind. When he first rose, he heard a chapter in 
the Hebrew Bible, and then studied till twelve ; then took 
some exercise for an hour ; then dined, then played on the 
organ, and sang, or heard another sing, then studied to 



THE LIFE OF MILTON. 15 

six; then entertained his visitors till eight ; tnen supped, 
and, after a pipe of tobacco and a glass of water, went 
to bed. 

So is his life described : but this even tenor appears 
attainable only in colleges. He that lives in the world will 
sometimes have the succession of his practice broken and 
confused. Visitors, of whom Milton is represented to have 
had great numbers, will come and stay unseasonably; 
business, of which every man has some, must be done 
when others will do it. 

When he did not care to rise early, he had something 
read to him by his bed-side ; perhaps at this time his 
daughters were employed. He composed much in the 
morning, and dictated in the day, sitting obliquely in an 
elbow-chair, with his leg thrown over the arm. 

Fortune appears not to have had much of his care. In 
the civil wars he lent his personal estate to the Parliament ; 
but when, after the contest was decided, he solicited repay- 
ment, he met not only with neglect, but sharp rebuke ; 
and, having tired both himself and his friends, was given 
up to poverty and hopeless indignation, till he showed how 
able he was to do greater service. He was then made 
Latin Secretary, with two hundred pounds a year ; and 
had a thousand pounds for his ' Defence of the People.' 
His widow, who, after his death, retired to Nantwich in 
Cheshire, and died about 1729, is said to have reported 
that he lost two thousand pounds by entrusting it to a 
scrivener ; and that, in the general depredation upon the 
Church, he had grasped an estate of about sixty pounds a 
year belonging to Westminster Abbey, which, like other 
sharers of the plunder of rebellion, he was afterwards 
obliged to return. Two thousand pounds, whicli he had 
placed in the Excise-office, were also lost. There is yet 
no reason to believe that he was ever reduced to indigence. 
His wants, being few, were competently supplied. He sold 
his library before his death, and left his family fifteen hun- 
dred pounds, on which his widow laid hold, and only gave 
one hundred to each of his daughters. 

His literature was unquestionably great. He read all the 
languages which are considered either as learned or polite; 
Hebrew, with its two dialects, Greek, Latin, Italian, French, 
and Spanish. In Latin his skill was such as places him in 
the first rank of writers and critics ; and he appears to 
have cultivated Italian with uncommon diligence. The 
books in which his daughter, who used to read to him, 
represented him as most delighting, after Homer, which 



10 THE LIFE OF MILTON. 

he could almost repeat, were Ovid's Metamorphoses and 
Euripides. 

The highest praise of genius is original invention. Milton 
cannot be said to have contrived the structure of an epic 
poem, and therefore owes reverence to that vigour and 
amplitude of mind to which all generations must be in- 
debted for the art of poetical narration, for the texture of 
the fable, the variation of incidents, the interposition of 
dialogue, and all the stratagems that surprise and enchain 
attention. But, of all the borrowers from Homer, Milton 
is perhaps the least indebted. He was naturally a thinker 
for himself, confident of his own abilities, and disdainful 
of help or hinderance : he did not refuse admission to the 
thoughts or images of his predecessors, but he did not 
seek them. From his contemporaries he neither courted 
nor received support ; there is in his writings nothing by 
which the pride of other authors might be gratified, or 
favour gained ; no exchange of praise, nor solicitation 01 
support. His great works were performed under discounte- 
nance, and in blindness ; but difficulties vanished at his 
touch ; he was born for whatever is arduous ; and his work 
is not the greatest of heroic poems, only because it is not 
the first. ) 



THE VERSE. 



The measure is English heroic verse without rhyme, as 
that of Homer in Greek, and of Virgil in Latin ; rhyme being 
no necessary adjunct, or true ornament of poem or good 
verse, in longer works especially, but the invention of a bar- 
barous age to set off wretched matter and lame metre ; graced 
indeed since by the use of some famous modern poets, 
carried away by custom, but much to their own vexation, 
hindrance, and constraint to express many things otherwise. 
and for the most part worse, than else they would have 
expressed them. Not without cause therefore some, both 
Italian and Spanish poets of prime note, have rejected 
rhyme, both in longer and shorter works ; as have long since 
our best English tragedies, as a thing of itself to all judi- 
cious ears, trivial, and of no true musical delight ; which 
consists only in apt numbers, fit quantity of syllables, and 
the sense variously drawn out from one verse into another ; 
not in the jingling sound of like endings, a fault avoided by 
the learned ancients, both in poetry and all good oratory. 
This neglect then of rhyme so little is to be taken for a de- 
fect (though it may seem so perhaps to vulgar readers,) 
that it is rather to be esteemed an example set, the first in 
English, of ancient liberty recovered, to heroic poem, from 
the troublesome and modern bondage of rhyming. 



PARADISE LOST, 

BOOK L 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The first Book proposes, first in brief, the whole subject ; Man's dis- 
obedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise, wherein he was 
placed : then touches the prime cause of his Fall, the Serpent, or 
rather Satan in the serpent ; who, revolting from God, and drawing 
to his side many legions of angels, was, by the command of God, 
driven out of heaven, with all his crew, into the great deep. Which 
action passed over, the Poem hastens into the midst of things, 
presenting Satan with his angels now falling into hell, described 
here, not in the centre (for heaven and earth may be supposed as 
yetnotmaoe, certainly not yet accursed), but in a place of utter 
darkness, fitliest called Chaos : here Satan, with his angels, lying 
on the burning lake, thunder-struck and astonished, after a certain 
space recovers, as from confusion j calls up him who next in order 
and dignity lay by him. They confer of their miserable fall. Satan 
awakens all his legions; who lay till then in the same manner con- 
founded. They rise ; their numbers ; array of battle ; their chief 
leaders named, according to the idols known afterwards in Canaan 
and the countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech; 
comforts them with hope yet of regaining heaven; but tells them 
lastly of a new world and new kind of creature to be created, ac- 
cording to an ancient prophecy or report in heaven : for, that angels 
were ong before this visible creation, wa3 the opinion of many 
ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and what 
to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his as- 
sociates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan, rises, 

• suddenly built out of the deep. The infernal peers there sit in 
council. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK T. 



Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit 
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 
Brought death into the world, and all our woe, 
With loss of Eden, till one greater man 
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, 5 

Sing, heavenly Muse ! that on the secret top 
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire 
That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed, 
In the beginning, how the Heavens and Earth 
Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion-hill 10 

Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook, that flow'd 
Fast by the oracle of God ; I thence 
Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, 
That with no middle flight, intends to soar 
Above the Aonian mount, while it pursues 15 

Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. 
And chiefly Thou, O Spirit! that dost prefer, 
Before all temples the upright heart and pure, 
Instruct me, for Thou know'st ; Thou from the first 
Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, 20 

Dove-like, sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, 
And madest it pregnant : what in me is dark, 
r Illumine: what is low, raise and support; 
That, to the highth of this great argument, 
I may assert Eternal Providence, 25 

And justify the ways of God to men/ 

Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, 
Nor the deep tract of Hell ; say first, what cause 
Moved our grand parents, in that happy state, 
Favour'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off 
From their Creator, and transgress his will, 
For one restraint, lords of the world besides ? 
Who first seduced them to that foul revolt ? — ■ 



22 PARADISE LOST. 

The infernal Serpent ! he it was, whose guile, 

Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived 35 

The mother of mankind, what time his pride 

Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host 

Of rebel angels; by whose aid, aspiring 

To set himself in glory above his peers, 

He trusted to have equall'd the Most High, 40 

If he opposed ; and, with ambitious aim, 

Against the throne and monarchy of God, 

Raised impious war in Heaven, and battle proud, 

With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power 

Hurl'd headlong, flaming, from the ethereal sky, 45 

With hideous ruin and combustion, down 

To bottomless perdition : there to dwell 

In adamantine chains and penal fire, 

Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms, 

Nine times the space, that measures day and night 50 

To mortal men, he with his horrid crew 

Lay vanquish'd, rolling in the fiery gulf, 

Confounded, though immortal : but his doom 

Reserved him to more wrath ; for now the thought 

Both of lost happiness, and lasting pain, -55 

Torments him : round he throws his baleful eyes, 

That witness'd huge affliction and dismay 

Mix'd with obdurate pride and stedfast hate. 

At once, as far as angels ken, he views 

The dismal situation, waste and wild. qq 

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, 

As one great furnace, flamed ; yet from those flames 

No light, but rather darkness visible. 

Served only to discover sights of woe, 

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 65 

And rest can never dwell, hope never comes, 

That comes to all ; but torture without end 

Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 

With ever-burning sulphur, unconsumed. 

Such place Eternal Justice had prepared 70 

For those rebellious : here their prison ordain'd 

In utter darkness ; and their portion set, 

As far removed from God and light of Heaven, 

As from the centre thrice to the utmost pole. 

0, how unlike the place from whence they fell ! 75 

There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd 

With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 

He soon discerns; and, weltering by his side, 

One next himself in power, and next in crime, 

l^nng after known in Palestine, *uid named 83 



PARADISE LOST. 23 

Beelzebub. To whom the Arch-Enemy, 

And thence in Heaven call'd Satan, with bold words, 

Breaking the horrid silence, thus began. 

" If thou beest he ; but O, how fallen ! how changed 

From him, who, in the happy realms of light, g5 

Clothed^with transcendent brightness, didst outshine 

Myriads, though bright ! if he, who mutual league, 

United thoughts and counsels, equal hope 

And hazard in the glorious enterprise, 

Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 90 

In equal ruin : into what pit, thou seest, 

From what highth fallen ; so much the stronger proved 

He, with his thunder : and till then who knew 

The force of those dire arms ? Yet not for those, 

Nor what the potent Victor, in his rage 95 

Can else inflict, do I repent, or change, 

Though changed in outward lustre, that flx'd mind, 

And high disdain from sense of injured merit, 

That, with the Mightiest, raised me to contend, 

And, to the fierce contention, brought along 100 

Innumerable force of spirits arm'd, 

That durst dislike his reign ; and me preferring, 

His utmost power with adverse power opposed 

In dubious battle, on the plains of Heaven, 

And shook his throne. What tho' the field be lost ? |Qg 

All is not lost : the unconquerable will, 

And study of revenge, immortal hate, 

And courage never to submit or yield, 

And what is else, not to be overcome; 

That glory never shall his wrath or might hq 

Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace, 

With suppliant knee, and deify his power, 

Who, from the terror of this arm, so late 

Doubted his empire ; that were low indeed ; 

That were an ignominy and shame beneath 1 ] 5 

This downfall : since by fate, the strength of gods 

And this empyreal substance cannot fail, 

Since, through experience of this great event, 

In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, 

We may, with more successful hope, resolve 120 

To wage, by force or guile, eternal war, 

Irreconcilable to our grand Foe ; 

Who now triumphs, and, in the excess of joy 

Sole reigning, holds the tyranny of Heaven." 

So spake the apostate Angel, though in pain, 125 

Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair : 
And him thus answer'd soon his bold compeer.— 



24 PARADISE LOST. 

" O Prince ! O Chief of many throned Powers ! 
That led the embattled Seraphim to war 
Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 230 

Fearless, endanger'd Heaven's perpetual King, 
And put to proof his high supremacy, 
Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate ; 
Too well I see and rue the dire event, 
That, with sad overthrow, and foul defeat, 135 

Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host, 
In horrible destruction, laid thus low, 
As far as gods and heavenly essences 
Can perish : for the mind and spirit remains 
Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 140 

Though all our glory' extinct, and happy state 
Here swallow'd up in endless misery. ' 
But what if he, our Conqueror, whom I now 
Of force believe almighty, since no less 
Than such could have o'er-power'd such force as ours. 145 
Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, 
Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 
That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, 
Or do him mightier service, as his thralls 
By right of war, whate'er his business be; 150 

Here, in the heart of Hell, to work in fire, 
Or do his errands in the gloomy deep? 
What can it then avail, though yet we feel 
Strength undiminish'd, or eternal being 
To undergo eternal punishment?" 155 

Whereto with speedy words the Arch-Fiend replied. 
" Fallen Cherub ! to be weak is miserable, 
Doing or suffering : but of tnis be sure, 
To do aught good never will be our task ; 
But ever to do ill our sole delight, 160 

As being the contrary to his high will, 
Whom we resist. If then his providence 
Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, 
Our labour must be to pervert that end, . 
And out of good still to find means of evil: 165 

Which oft-times may succeed, so as perhaps 
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 
His inmost counsels from their destined aim. 
But see ! the angry Victor hath recall'd 
His ministers of vengeance and pursuit *'° 

Back to the gates of Heaven ; the sulphurous hail 
Shot after us in storm, o'erblown, hath laid 
The fiery surge, that, from the precipice 
Of Heaven, received us falling; and the thunder, 



PARADISE LOST. 25 

Wing'd with red lightning and impetuous rage, 175 

Perhaps hath spent his shafts ; and ceases now, 

To bellow through the vast and boundless deep. 

Let us not slip the occasion, whether scorn, 

Or satiate fury, yield it from our Foe. 

Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 1 so 

The seat of desolation, void of light, 

Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 

Casts pale and dreadful ? Thither let us tend, 

From off the tossing of these fiery waves : 

There rest, if any rest can harbour there; 135 

And, re-assembling our afflicted Powers, 

Consult, how we may henceforth most offend 

Our enemy; our own loss how repair; 

How overcome this dire calamity : 

What reinforcement we may gain from hope ; 190 

If not, what resolution from despair." 

Thus Satan, talking to his nearest mate, 
With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 
That sparkling blazed : his other parts besides, 
Prone on the flood, extended long and large, 1 95 

Lay floating many a rood : in bulk as huge 
As whom the fables name of monstrous size, 
Titan ian or Earth-born, that warr'd on Jove ; 
Briareos or Typhon, whom the den 
By ancient Tarsus held ; or that sea-beast 200 

Leviathan, which God of all his works 
Created hugest, that swim the ocean stream ; 
Him, haply, slumbering on the Norway foam, 
The pilot of some small night-founder'd skiff. 
Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 205 

With fixed anchor in his scaly rind, 
Moors by his side, under the lee, while night 
Invests the sea, and wished morn delays. 
So stretch'd out, huge in length, the Arch-Fiend lay, 
Chain'd on the burning lake : nor ever thence 210 

Had risen, or heaved his head ; but that the will 
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven 
Left him at large to his own dark designs : 
That, with reiterated crimes, he might 
Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 215 

Evil to others; and enraged might see 
How all his malice served but to bring forth 
Infinite goodness, grace and mercy, shown 
On man, by him seduced; but on himself 
Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd. 220 

Forthwith upright he rears, from off the pool, 



26 PARADISE LOST. 

His mighty stature : on each hand the flames, 

Driven backward, slope their pointing spires, and, roll'd 

In billows, leave in the midst a horrid vale. 

Then with expanded wings, he steers his flight 225 

Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, 

That felt unusual weight, till on dry land 

He lights ; if it were land that ever burn'd 

With solid, as the lake with liquid, fire ; 

And such appear'd in hue, as when the force 230 

Of subterranean wind transports a hill, 

Torn from Pelorus, or the shatter'd side 

Of thundering iEtna, whose combustible 

And fuell'd entrails, thence conceiving fire, 

Sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds ; 235 

And leave a singed bottom, all involved 

With stench and smoke Such resting found the sole 

Of unblest feet. Him follow'd his next mate : 

Both glorying to have 'scaped the Stygian flood, 

As gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 240 

Not by the sufferance of supernal Power. 

" Is this the region ? this the soil ? the clime, 
(Said then the lost Arch-angel) this the seat 
That we must change for Heaven ? this mournful gloom 
For that celestial light? Be it so, since he, 245 

Who now is Sovereign, can dispose and bid 
What shall be right : farthest from him is best, 
Whom reason hath equall'd, force hath made supreme 
Above his equals. Farewell, happy fields, 
Where joy for ever dwells ! Hail, horrors ! hail, 250 

Infernal world ! and thou, profoundest Hell ! 
Receive thy new possessor : one, who brings 
A mind not to be changed by place or time : 
The mind is its own place, and in itself 
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. 255 

What matter where, if I be still the same, 
And what I should be ; all but less than He, 
Whom thunder hath made greater ? Here, at least 
We shall be free ; the Almighty hath not built 
Here for his envy ; will not drive us hence : 260 

Here, we may reign secure ; and, in my choice, 
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell : 
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven^ 
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, 
The associates and co- partners of our loss, 
Lie thus astonish'd on the oblivious pool, 
And call them not to share with us their part 
In this unhappy mansion ; or, once more, 



265 



PARADISE LOST 27 

With rallied arms, to try what may be yet 

Regain'd in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?" 270 

So Satan spake, and him Beelzebub 
Thus answer'd. " Leader of those armies bright 
Which, but the Omnipotent, none could have foil'd ! 
If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge 
Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft 275 

In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge 
Of battle, when it raged, in all assaults 
Their surest signal; they will soon resume 
New courage and revive ; though now they lie 
Groveling and prostrate, on yon lake of fire, 280 

As we erewhile, astounded and amazed ; 
No wonder, fallen such a pernicious highth." 

He scarce had ceased when the superior Fiend 
Was moving toward the shore : his ponderous shield 
Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 285 

Behind him cast : the broad circumference 
Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb 
Through optic-glass, the Tuscan artist views 
At evening from the top of Fesole, 
Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands, 290 

Rivers or mountains, in her spotty globe. 
His spear (to equal which the tallest pine 
Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast 
Of some great admiral, were but a wand,) 
He walked with, to support uneasy steps, 295 

Over the burning marie : not like those steps 
On Heaven's azure; and the torrid clime 
Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire : 
Nathless he so endured, till on the beach 
Of that inflamed sea he stood ; and call'd 300 

His legions, angel-forms, who lay entranced, 
Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks 
In Vallombrosa, where the Etrurian shades, 
High over-arch'd imbower ; or scatter'd sedge 
Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion arm'd 305 

Hath vex'd the Red-Sea coast, whose waves o'erthrew 
Busiris, and his Memphian chivalry, 
While with perfidious hatred they pursued 
The sojourners of Goshen, who beheld, 
From the safe shore, their floating carcasses, 310 

And broken chariot- wheels : so thick bestrown, 
Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood, 
Under amazement of their hideous change- 
He call'd so loud, that all the hollow deep 
Of Hell resounded: " Princes, Potentates, 315 



28 PARADISE LOST. 

Warriors, the flower of Heaven, once yours, now lost, 

If such astonishment as this can seize 

Eternal Spirits ; or have ye chosen this place, 

After the toil of battle, to repose 

Your wearied virtue, for the ease you find 320 

To slumber here, as in the vales of Heaven? 

Or, in this abject posture, have ye sworn 

To adore the Conqueror ? who now beholds 

Cherub and Seraph, rolling in the flood, 

With scattered arms and ensigns ; till anon 325 

His swift pursuers, from Heaven-gates discern 

The advantage ; and, descending tread us down 

Thus drooping; or, with linked thunderbolts 

Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf. 

Awake ! arise ! or be for ever fallen !" 330 

They heard, & were abash'd, & up they sprung 
Upon the wing ; as when men wont to watch 
On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread, 
Rouse and bestir themselves, ere well awake. 
Nor did they not perceive the evil plight 335 

In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel ; 
Yet to their General's voice they soon obey'd ; 
Innumerable. As when the potent rod 
Of Amram's son, in Egypt's evil day, 
Waved round the coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 349 

Of locusts, warping on the eastern wind, 
That, o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung, 
Like night, and darken'd all the land of Nile : 
So numberless were those bad Angels seen 
Hovering on wing under the cope of Hell, 345 

'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires ; 
Till, as a signal given, the uplifted spear 
Of their great Sultan, waving to direct 
Their course, in even balance down they light 
On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain : 350 

A multitude, like which the populous North 
Pour'd never from her frozen loint,, to pass 
Fthene or the Danaw ; when her barbarous sons 
Came, like a deluge, on the South, and spread 
Beneath Gibraltar to the Libyan sands. 355 

Forthwith, from every squadron, and each band, 
The heads and leaders thither haste, where stood 
Their great Commander ; godlike shapes and forms 
Excelling human ; princely Dignities ; 
And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on thrones ; 360 

Though of their names in heavenly records now 
He no memorial; blotted out, and rased, 




a/77s ■;?■?/ 'O C , c '- / ^'' ' A/i "' 



PARADISE LOST 09 

By theii rebellion, from the book of life. 

Nor had they yet, among the sons of Eve, 

Got them new names : till, wandering o'er the earth, 355 

Through God's high sufferance, for the triul of man, 

By falsities and lies, the greatest part 

Of mankind they corrupted, to forsake 

God their Creator, and the invisible 

Glory of Him that made them ; to transform 3 70 

Oft to the image of a brute, adorn'd 

With gay religions, full of pomp and gold, 

And devils to adore for Deities : 

Then were they known to men, by various names, 

And various idols, through the Heathen world. 375 

Say, Muse, their names then known, who first, who last, 

Roused from the slumber, on that fiery couch, 

At their great Emperor's call, as next in worth, 

Came singly, where he stood on the bare strand, 

While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof. 380 

The chief were those, who, from the pit of Hell, 

Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix 

Their seats, long after next the seat of God, 

Their altars by his altar; (gods adored 

Among the nations round ;) and durst abide 385 

Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned 

Between the Cherubim : yea, often placed 

Within his sanctuary itself, their shrines, 

Abominations; and, with cursed things, 

His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned ; 390 

And with their darkness durst affront his light. 

First Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood 

Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; 

Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 

Their children's cries unheard, that pass'd through fire 395 

To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite 

Worshipp'd in Rabba and her watery plain, 

In Argob and in Basan, to the stream 

Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such 

Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 400 

Of Solomon he led, by fraud, to build 

His temple, right against the temple of God 

On that opprobrious hill ; and made his grove 

The pleasant valley of Hinnom ; Tophet thence 

And black Gehenna call'd, the type of Hell. 405 

Next Chemos, the obscene, dread of Moab's sons, 

From Aroer to Nebo, and the wild 

Of southmost Abarim ; in Hesebon 

And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond 



30 PARADISE LOST. 

The flowery dale of Sibma, clad with vines, 4jq 

And Eleale to the Asphaltic pool : 

Peor his other name, when he enticed 

Israel, in Sittim, on their march from Nile, 

To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. 

Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged, 415 

Even to that hill of scandal, by the grove 

Of Moloch, homicide ; lust hard by hate : 

Till good Josiah drove them thence to Hell. 

With these came they, who, from the bordering flood 

Of old Euphrates, to the brook that parts 420 

Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names 

Of Baalim and Ashtaroth; those male, 

These feminine : for Spirits, when they please, 

Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft 

And uncompounded is their essence pure : 425 

Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, 

Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, 

Like cumbrous flesh ; but, in what shape they choose, 

Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, 

Can execute their airy purposes, 430 

And works of love or enmity fulfil. 

For those the race of Israel oft forsook 

Their living Strength, and unfrequented left 

His righteous altar, bowing lowly down 

To bestial gods : for which their heads, as low 435 

Bow'd down in battle, sunk before the spear 

Of despicable foes. With these in troop 

Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd 

Astarte, queen of Heaven, with crescent horns : 

To whose bright image nightly by the moon, 440 

Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs : 

In Sion also not unsung, where stood 

Her temple, on the offensive mountain, built 

By that uxorious king, whose heart, though large, 

Beguiled by fair idolatresses, fell 445 

To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, 

Whose annual wound, in Lebanon, allured 

The Syrian damsels to lament his fate, 

In amorous ditties, all a summer's day ; 

While smooth Adonis from his native rock, 450 

Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood 

Of Thammuz yearly wounded : the love-tale 

Infected Sion's daughters, with like heat; 

Whose wanton passions, in the sacred porch, 

Ezekiel saw, when, by the vision led 455 

His eye survey 'd the dark idolatries 



PARADISE LOST. 31 

Of alienated Judah. Next came one 
Who mourn'd in earnest, when the captive ark 
Maim'd his brute image, head and hands lopt off, 
In his own temple, on the groundsil-edge, 460 

Where he fell flat, and shamed his worshippers : 
Dagon his name, sea-monster, upward man 
And downward fish : yet had his temple, high 
Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the coast 
Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 465 

And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. 
Hftn follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat 
Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks 
Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. 
He also against the house of God was bold : 470 

A leper once he lost, and gain'd a king, 
Ahaz, his sottish conqueror, whom he drew 
God's altar to disparage, and displace 
For one of Syrian mode ; whereon to burn 
His odious offerings, and adore .the gods, 475 

Whom he had vanquished. After these appear'd 
A crew, who, under names of old renown, 
Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train, 
With monstrous shapes and sorceries, abused 
Fanatic Egypt and her priests, to seek 430 

Their wandering gods, disguised in brutish forms, 
Rather than human. Nor did Israel 'scape 
The infection, when their borrow'd gold composed 
The calf in Oreb ; and the rebel king 
Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 485 

Likening his Maker to the grazed ox ; 
Jehovah, who, in one night, when he pass'd 
From Egypt marching, equalled, with one stroke, 
Both her first-born, and all her bleating gods. 
I Belial came last, than whom a Spirit more lewd 490 

Fell not from Heaven, or more gross, to love 
I Vice for itself; to him no temple stood, 
Or altar smoked ; yet who more oft, than he, 
In temples and at altars, when the priest 
Turns atheist, as did Eli's sons, who fill'd 495 

With lust and violence the house of God ? 
In courts and palaces he also reigns, 
And in luxurious cities, where the noise 
Of riot ascends, above their loftiest towers, 
And injury and outrage : and when night 500 

Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons 
Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 
Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night 



32 PARADISE LOST. 

In Gibeah, when the hospitable door 

Exposed a matron to avoid worse rape 505 

There were the prime in order and in might : 

The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd : 

The Ionian Gods, of Javan's issue, held 

Gods, yet confess'd later than Heaven and Earth, ! 

Their boasted parents : Titan, Heaven's first-born, 51a 

With his enormous brood, and birth-right seized 

By younger Saturn ; he, from mightier Jove, 

His own and Rhea's son, like measure found : 

So Jove usurping reign'd. These, first in Crete 

And Ida known, thence, on the snowy top 515 

Of cold Olympus, ruled the middle air, 

Their highest Heaven ; or, on the Delphian clifT, 

Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds 

Of Doric land ; or, who with Saturn old, 

Fled over Adria to the Hesperian fields, 520 

And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost isles. 

All these, and more, came flocking; but with looks 
Down-cast and damp ; yet such wherein appear 'd 
Obscure some glimpse of joy, tohave found their chief, 
Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 

In loss itself; which on his countenance cast 
Like doubtful hue : but he, his wonted pride 
\ Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore 
\ Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised 
J Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. 530 

Then straight commands, that, at the warlike sound 
Of trumpets loud, and clarions, be uprear'd 
His mighty standard. That proud honour claim'd 
Azazel as his right, a Cherub tall; 
Who forthwith, from the glittering staff, unfurl'd 535 

The imperial ensign ; which, full high advanced, 
Shone, like a meteor, streaming to the wind, 
With gems and golden lustre rich imblazed, 
Seraphic arms and trophies ; all the while 
Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds : 540 

At which the universal host up - sent 
A shout that tore Hell's concave ; and beyond, 
Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. 
All in a moment, through the gloom, were seen 
Ten thousand banners rise into the air, 545 

With orient colours waving : with them rose 
A forest huge of spears ; and thronging helms 
Appear'd, and serried shields, in thick array, 
Of depth immeasurable. Anon they move 
In perfect phalanx, to the Dorian mood 550 



PARADISE LOST. 33 

Of flutes and soft recorders; such as raised 

To highth of noblest temper, heroes old, 

Arming to battle; and, instead of rage, 

Deliberate valour breathed, firm, and unmoved' j 

With dread of death, to flight or foul retreat ; 555 

Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage, 

With solemn touches, troubled thoughts, and chase 

Anguish, and doubt, and fear, and sorrow, and pain 

From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they, 

Breathing united force, with fixed thought, •, 560 

Moved on in silence to soft pipes, that eharm'd 

Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil: and now 

Advanced in view they stand, a horrid front 

Of dreadful length, and dazzling arms, in guise 

Of warriors old, with order'd spear and shield ; 5(35 

Awaiting what command their mighty Chief 

Had to impose. He, through the armed files 

Darts his experienced eye ; and soon traverse 

The whole battalion views ; their order due ; 

Their visages and stature, as of Gods : 

Their number last he sums. "And now his heart 

Distends with pride, and, hardening in his strength, 

Glories : for never, since created man, 

Met such imbodied force, as, named with these, 

Could merit more than that small infantry 575 

Warr'd on by cranes ; though all the giant-brood 

Of Phlegra, with the heroic race, were join'd, 

That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side 

Mix'd with auxiliar Gods ; and what resounds 

In fable or romance, of Uther's son, 580 

Begirt with British, and Armoric knights ; 

And all, who since, baptized or infidel, 

Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban, 

Damasco, or Morocco, or Trebisond ; 

Or, whom Biserta sent from Afric shore, 585 

When Charlemain, with all his peerage, fell, 

By Fontarabia. Thus far these beyond 

Compare of mortal prowess, yet observed 

Their dread Commander. He, above the rest 

In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 

Stood like a tower : his form had yet not lost 

All her original brightness ; nor appear'd 

Less than Arch-angel ruin'd, and the excess 

Of glory obscured : as when the sun, new risen, 

Looks through the horizontal misty air, 595 

Shorn of his beams, or, from behind the moon, 

In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds 



590 



34 , PARADISE LOST. 

On half the nations, and with fear of change 

Perplexes monarchs. Darken'd so, yet shone, 

Above them all the Arch-angel : but his face 600 

Deep scars of thunder had intrench'd ; and care 

Sat on his faded cheek, but under brows 

Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride ; 

Waiting revenge. Cruel his eye, but cast 

Signs of remorse and passion, to behold 605 

The fellows of his crime, the followers rather, 

Far other once beheld in bliss, condemn'd 

For ever now to have their lot in pain : 

Millions of Spirits, for his fault, amerced 

Of Heaven, and from eternal splendors flung, 610 

For his revolt : yet faithful how they stood, 

Their glory wither'd : as when Heaven's fire 

Hath scath'd the forest oaks, or mountain pines, 

With singed top, their stately growth, though bare. 

Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepared 615 

To speak; whereat, their doubled ranks they bend, 

From wing to wing, and half inclose him round, 

With all his peers : attention held them mute. 

Thrice he essay'd, and thrice, in spite of scorn, 

Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. At last 620 

Words, interwove with sighs, found out their way. 

" O Myriads of immortal Spirits ! O Powers ! 
Matchless, but with the Almighty ; and that strife 
Was not inglorious, though the event was dire, 
As tli is place testifies, and this dire change, 625 

Hateful to utter : but what power of mind, 
Foreseeing or presaging, from the depth 
Of knowledge, past or present, could have fear'd, 
How such united force of Gods, how such 
As stood like these, could ever know repulse ? 630 

For who can yet believe, though after loss, 
That all these puissant legions, whose exile 
Hath emptied Heaven, shall fail to re-ascend, 
Self-raised, and re-possess their native seat? 
For me, be witness all the host of Heaven, ' 635 

If counsels different, or danger shunn'd 
By me, have lost our hopes. But he, who reigns 
Monarch in Heaven, till then, as one secure, 
Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute, 
Consent or custom, and his regal state, 640 

Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd ; 
Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. 
Henceforth his might we know, and know our own ; 
So as not either to provoke, or dread. 



PARADISE LOST. 35 

New war, provoked : our better part remains, 545 

To work in dose design, by fraud or guile, 
What force effected not ; that he no less 
At length from us may find, //who overcomes | 
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.fl 
Space may produce new worlds ; whereof so rife 650 

There went a fame in Heaven that he ere long- 
Intended to create ; and therein plant 
A generation, whom his choice regard 
Should favour equal to the sons of Heaven. 
Thither, if but to pry, shall be perhaps, 655 

Our first" eruption ; thither or elsewhere: 
For this infernal pit shall never hold 
Celestial spirits in bondage, nor the abyss 
Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts 
Full counsel must mature : peace is despair'd ; 660 

/ For who can think submission ? War then, war, 
Open or understood, must be resolved." 

He spake : and, to confirm his words, out-flew 
Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs 
Of mighty Cherubim. The sudden blaze 66b 

Far round illumined Hell : highly they raged 
Against the Highest; and fierce, with grasped arms, 
Clash'd, on their sounding shields the din of war, 
' Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven. 

There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top 670 

Belch'd fire and rolling smoke ; the rest entire 
Shone with a glossy scurf; undoubted sign, 
That, in his womb, was hid metallic ore, 
The work of sulphur. Thither, wing'd with speed, 
A numerous brigade hasten'd : as when bands 675 

Of pioneers, with spade and pick^axe arm'd, 
Forerun the royal camp, to trench a field, 
Or cast a rampart. Mammon led them on ; 
Mammon, the least erected Spirit, that fell 

/From Heaven-; for/e'en in Heaven, his looks and thoughts 

I Were always downward bent, admiring more > 681 

The riches of Heaven's pavement, trodden gold, 

{ Than aught, divine or holy, else enjoy'd 

I In vision beatific. By him first 

Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 6813 

Ransack'd the centre, and, with impious hands, 

Rifled the bowels of their mother Earth 

For treasures, better hid. Soon had his crew 

Open'd, into the hill, a spacious wound, 

And digged out ribs of gold. Let none admire, 690 

That riches grow in Hell ; that soil may best 



36 VARA DIRE LOST. 

Deserve the precious bane. And here let those, 

Who boast in mortal things, and wondering, tell 

Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings, 

Learn, how their greatest monuments of fame, 695 

And strength, and art, are easily out-done 

By Spirits reprobate ; and in an hour, 

What in an age, they, with incessant toil, 

And hands innumerable, scarce perform. 

Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared, 700 

That underneath had veins of liquid fire 

Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude 

With wondrous art, founded the massy ore, 

Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion dros.3 

A third as soon had form'd, within the ground 705 

A various mold, and from the boiling cells, 

By strange conveyance, fill'd each hollow nook ; 

As in an organ, from one blast of wind, 

To many a row of pipes, the sound-board breathes. 

Anon, out of the earth, a fabric huge 710 

Rose, like an exhalation, with the sound 

Of dulcet symphonies, and voices sweet ; 

Built like a temple, where pilasters round 

Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 

With golden architrave: nor did there want 715 

Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven ; 

The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon, 

Nor great Alcairo, such magnificence 

Equall'd, in all their glories, to enshrine 

Belus or Serapis their Gods; or seat 720 

Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove 

In wealth and luxury. The ascending pile 

Stood fix'd her stately highth : and straight the doors, 

Opening their brazen folds, discover wide 

Within, her ample spaces, o'er the smooth 725 

And level pavement. From the arched roof, 

Pendant by subtle magic, many a row 

Of starry lamps, and blazing cressets, fed 

With naphtha and asphaltus, yielded light, 

As from a sky. The hasty multitude 730 

Admiring enter'd ; and the work some praise, 

And some the architect : his hand was known 

In Heaven, by many a tower'd structure high, 

Where scepter'd angels held their residence, 

And sat as princes ; whom the Supreme King '35 

Exalted to such power, and gave to rule, 

Each in his hierarchy, the orders bright. 

Nor was Jus name unheard, or unadored 



PARADISE LOST. 37 

In ancient Greece ; and, in Ausonian land, 

Men call'd him Mulciber ; and how he fell 740 

From Heaven, they fabled, thrown by angry Jove, 

Sheer o'er the crystal battlements : from morn 

To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, 

A summer's day ; and with the setting sun 

Dropt from the zenith, like a falling star, 745 

On Lemnos, the iEgean isle. Thus they relate, 

Erring ; for he, with this rebellious rout, 

Fell long before ; nor aught avail'd him now 

To have built, in Heaven, high towers ; nor did he 'scape 

By all his engines : but was headlong sent, 750 

With his industrious crew, to build in Hell. 

Mean while the winged heralds, by command 
Of sovereign power, with awful ceremony, 
And trumpets' sound, throughout the host, proclaim 
A solemn council, forthwith to be held 755 

At Pandemonium, the high capital 
Of Satan and his peers. Their summons call'd 
From every band and squared regiment, 
By place or choice the worthiest. They anon, 
With hundreds and with thousands trooping, came "60 

Attended : all access was throng'd. The gates 
And porches wide, but chief the spacious hail, 
Though like a cover'd field, where champions bold 
Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soidan's chair 
Defied the best of Panim chivalry 765 

To mortal combat, or career with lance 
Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air, 
Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees 
In spring-time, when the sun with Taurus rides, 
Pour forth their populous youth about the hive 770 

In clusters : they among fresh dews and flowers 
Fly to and fro, or, on the smoothed plank, 
The suburb of their straw-built citadel, 
New rubbed with balm, expatiate, and confer 
Their state affairs. So thick the airy crowd 775 

Swarm'd, and were straiten'd ; till, the signal. given, 
Behold a wonder ! They but now who seem'd 
In bigness to surpass Earth's giant sons, 
Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room 
Throng numberless ; like that pygmean race 780 

Beyond the Indian mount : or faery elves, 
Whose midnight revels, by a forest-side, 
Or fountain, some belated peasant sees, 
Or dreams he sees, while over-head the moon 
Sits arbitress; and, nearer to the earth, 785 



38 PAJtADISE LOST. 

Wheels her pale course : they, on their mirth and dance 

Intent, with jocund music, charm his ear : 

At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. 

Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms 

Reduced their shapes immense ; and were at large, 790 

Though without number, still amidst the hall 

Of that infernal court. But far within, 

And, in their own dimensions, like themselves, 

The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim 

In close recess, and secret conclave, sat; 705 

A thousand Demi-gods, on golden seats, 

Frequent and full. After short silence then, 

And summons read, the great consult began 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK II. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The consultation begun, Satan debates, whether another battle be to 
be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven : some advise it, others 
dissuade. A third proposal is preferred, mentioned before by Satan, 
to search the truth of that prophecy, or tradition in Heaven, con- 
cerning another world, and another kind of creature, equal, or not 
much inferior to themselves, about this time to be created : their 
doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search. Satan, their chief, 
undertakes alone the voyage, is honoured and applauded. The 
council thus ended, the rest betake them several ways, and to 
several employments, as their inclinations lead them, to entertain 
the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell- 
gates ; finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them; by 
whom at length they are opened, and discover to him the great 
gulf between Hell and Heaven; with what difficulty he passes 
through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight 
of this now world which he sought. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK II. 



High on a throne of royal state, which far 
Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, 
Or, where the gorgeous East, with richest hand, 
Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, 
Satan exalted sat ; by merit raised 5 

To that bad eminence; and, from despair, 
Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires 
Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue 
Vain war with Heaven, and by success untaught, 
His proud imaginations thus display'd : 10 

" Powers and Dominions ! Deities of Heaven !•— 
For since no deep within her gulf can hold 
Immortal vigour, though oppress'd and fall'n, 
I give not Heaven for lost. From this descent 
Celestial virtues rising, will appear 15 

More glorious, and more dread, than from no fall 
And trust themselves, to fear no second fate. — 
Me, though just right, and the fix'd laws of Heaven, 
Did first create your leader, next free choice, 
With what besides, in counsel or in fight, 20 

Hath been achieved of merit ; yet this loss, 
Thus far at least recovered, hath much more 
Establish'd, in a safe unenvied throne, 
Yielded with full consent. The happier state 
In Heaven, which follows dignity, might draw 25 

Envy from each inferior ; but who here 
Will envy, whom the highest place exposes, 
Foremost to stand against the Thunderer's aim, 
Your bulwark, and condemns to greatest share 
Of endless pain ? jWhere there is then no good 30 

For which to strive, no strife can grow up there 
From faction ;/Jfor none, sure, will claim in Hell 
Precedence ; none, whose portion is so small 
Of present pain, that with ambitious mind 
Will covet more. With this advantage then 35 

To union, and firm faith, and firm accord, 
More than can be in Heaven, we now return, 



42 PARADISE LOST. 

To claim our just inheritance of old ; 

Surer to prosper, than prosperity 

Could hava assured us ; and, by what best way, 40 

Whether of open war, or covert guile, 

We now debate : who can advise may speak." 

He ceased ; and next him Moloch, sceptred king", 
Stood up ; the strongest and the fiercest Spirit 
That fought in Heaven, now fiercer by despair. 45 

His trust was with the Eternal to be deem'd 
Equal in strength ; , and rather than be less, 
Cared not to be at all ; with that care lost, 
Went all his fear; of God, or Hell, or worse, 
He reck'd not /f and these words thereafter spake : 50 

" My sentence is for open war : of wiles, 
More unexpert, I boast not : them let those 
Contrive who need, or when they need, not now. 
For, while they sit contriving, shall the rest, 
Millions that stand in arms, and longing wait 55 

The signal to ascend, sit lingering here, 
Heaven's fugitives, and for their dwelling-piace 
Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame, 
The prison of his tyranny, who reigns 
By our delay ? No, let us rather choose, ^0 

Arm'd with Hell-flames and fury, all at once, 
O'er Heaven's high towers, to force resistless way ; 
Turning our tortures into horrid arms, 
Against the torturer ; when, to meet the noise 
Of his almighty-engine, he shall hear 55 

Infernal thunder; and, for lightning, see 
Black fire and horror, shot with equal rage 
Among his Angels; and his throne itself 
Mix'd with Tartarean sulphur, and strange fire, 
His own invented torments. But perhaps 70 

The way seems difficult and steep to scale, 
With upright wing, against ,a higher foe. 
Let such bethink them ; if the sleepy drench 
Of that forgetful lake benumb not still ; 
That in our proper motion we ascend 75 

Up to our native seat : descent and fall 
To us is adverse. Who but felt of late, 
When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear, 
Insulting, and pursued us through the deep 
With what compulsion and laborious flight 80 

We sunk thus low ° The ascent is easy then ; 
The event is fear'd ; should we again provoke 
Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find 
To our destruction ; if there bo ir Hell 



PARADISE LOST. 



43 



Fear to be worse destroy'd. What can be worse \ 85 

Than to dwell here, driven out from bliss, condemn'd, 1 

In this abhorred deep, to utter woe ; 

Where pain of unextinguishable fire 

Must exorcise us, without hope of end, 

The vassals of his anger, when the scourge 90 

Inexorable, and the torturing hour, 

Calls us to penance ? More destroy'd than thus, 

We should be quite abolish'd, and expire. 

What fear we then ? what doubt we to incense 

His utmost ire ? which to the highth enraged, 95 

Will either quite consume us, and reduce 

To nothing this essential ; happier far 

Than, miserable, to have eternal being : 

Or, if our substance be indeed divine, 

And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 100 

On this side nothing ; and by proof we feel 

Our power sufficient to disturb his Heaven ; 

And with perpetual inroads to alarm, 

Though inaccessible, his fatal throne : 

Which, if not victory, is yet revenge." 105 

He ended frowning, and his look denounced 
Desperate revenge, and battle dangerous 
To less than Gods. On the other side up-rose 
Belial, in act more graceful and humane ; 
A fairer person lost not Heaven ; he seem'd 110 

For dignity composed and high exploit ; 
But all was false and hollow ; though his tongue 
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear 
The better reason, to perplex and dash 
Maturest counsels ; for his though ts were low ; 115 

To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds 
Timorous and slothful : yet he pleased the ear ; 
And with persuasive accent thus began. 

"I should be much for open war, O Peers, 
As not behind in hate ; if what was urged, 120 

Main reason to persuade immediate war, 
Did not dissuade me most, and seem to cast 
Ominous conjecture on the whole success ; 
When he, who most excels in fact of arms, 
In what he counsels, and in what excels, 125 

Mistrustful, grounds his courage on despair, 
And utter dissolution, as the scope 
Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. 
First, what revenge ? The towers of Heaven are fill'd 
With armed watch, that render all access ~^0 

Impregnable : oft on the bordering deep 



44 PARADISE LOST. 

Encamp their legions ; or, with obscure wing 

Scout far and wide into the realm of night, 

Scorning surprise. Or could we break our way 

By force, and at our heels all Hell should rise, 135 

With blackest insurrection, to confound 

Heaven's purest light, yet our great Enemy 

All incorruptible, would on his throne 

Sit unpolluted ; and the ethereal mould, 

Incapable of stain, would soon expel 140 

Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire, 

Victorious. Thus repulsed, our final hope 

Is flat despair. We must exasperate 

The Almighty Victor, to spend all his rage, 

And that must end us, that must be our cure, 145 

I To be no more. Sad cure ! for who would lose, 

\ Though full of pain, this intellectual being, 
Those thoughts, that wander through eternity, 
To perish rather, swallow'd up and lost, 
In the wide womb of uncreated night, 150 

Devoid of sense and motion ? and who knows, 
Let this be good, whether our angry foe 
Can give it, or will ever ? how he can, 
Is doubtful; that he never will, is sure. 
Will he, so wise, let loose at once his "ire, 155 

Belike through impotence, or unaware, 
To give his enemies their wish, and end 
Them in his anger, whom his anger saves 
To punish endless? Wherefore cease we then, 
Say they who counsel war? we are decreed, 160 

Reserved, and destined, to eternal woe, 
Whatever doing ; what can we suffer more . 
What can we suffer worse ? Is this then worst, 
Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in arms ? 
What when we fled amain, pursued, and struck 165 

With Heaven's afflicting thunder, and besought 
The deep to shelter us ? this Hell then seem'cl 
A refuge from those wounds : or when we lay 
Chain'd on the burning lake ? that sure was worse. 
What if the breath that kindled those grim fires, 1 70 

Awaked, should blow them into seven-fold rage, 
And plunge us in the flames ? or, from above, 
Should intermitted vengeance arm again 
His red right hand to plague us? What if all 
Her stores were open'd, and this firmament 175 

Of Hell should spout her cataracts of fire, 
Impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall, 
One day upon our heads ; while we perhaps, 



PARADISE LOST. 45 

Designing- or exhorting glorious war, 

Caught in a fiery tempest, shall be hurl'd, ISO 

Each on his rock transfix'd, the sport and prey 

Of wracking whirlwinds ; or for ever sunk 

Under yon boiling ocean, wrapt in chains; 

There to converse, with everlasting groans, 

Unrespited, unpitied, unreprieved, 185 

Ages of hopeless end ? This would be worse. 

War, therefore, open or conceal'd, alike 

My voice dissuades ; for what can force or guile 

With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye 

Views all things at one view? He from Heaven's highth, 190 

All these our motions vain, sees and derides ; 

Not more almighty, to resist our might, 

Than wise, to frustrate all our plots and wiles. 

Shall we then live thus vile, the race of Heaven, 

Thus trampled, thus expell'd, to suffer here 195 

Chains and these torments ? better these than worse, 

By my advice ; since fate inevitable 

Subdues us, and omnipotent decree, 

The Victor's will. To suffer, as to do, 

Our strength is equal; nor the law unjust 200 

That so ordains : this was at first resolved, 

If we were wise, against so great a foe 

Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 

I laugh, when those, who at the spear are bold 

And venturous, if that fail them, shrink and fear, 205 

What yet they know must follow, to endure 

Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain, 

The sentence of their conqueror : this is now 

Our doom ; which if we can sustain and bear, 

Our supreme foe, in time, may much remit 210 

His anger; and perhaps, thus far removed, 

Not mind us, not offending, satisfied 

With what is punish'd : whence, these raging fires 

Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. 

Our purer essence then will overcome 215 

Their noxious vapour ; or inured, not feel ; 

Or changed at length, and to the place conform'd 

In temper and in nature, will receive 

Familiar the fierce heat ; and void of pain ; 

This horror will grow mild, this darkness light ; ^20 

Besides what hope the never-ending flight 

Of future days may bring, what chance, what change, 

Worth waiting; since our present lot appears 

For happy, though but ill, for i'i not worst, 

If we procure not to ourselves more woe." ^-^ 






46 PARADISE LOST. 

Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb 
Counsell'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth, 
■ Not peace : and after him thus Mammon spake. 

-" Either, to disenthrone the King of Heaven 
We war, if war be best, or to regain 230 

Our own right lost. Him to unthrone we then 
May hope, when everlasting fate shall yield 
To fickle chance, and Chaos judge the strife. 
The former, vain to hope, argues as vain 
The latter : for what place can be for us, 235 

Within Heaven's bound, unless Heaven's Lord Supreme 
We overpower ? Suppose he should relent, 
And publish grace to all, on promise made 
Of new subjection ; with what eyes could we 
Stand in his presence, humble, and receive '240 

Strict laws imposed to celebrate his throne, 
With warbled hymns, and to his Godhead sing 
Forced Halleluiahs ; while he lordly sits 
Our envied Sovereign, and his altar breathes 
Ambrosial odors, and ambrosial flowers, 245 ■ 

Our servile offerings ? This must be our task 
In Heaven, this our delight: how wearisome 
Eternity so spent, in worship paid 
To whom we hate ! Let us not then pursue 
By force impossible, by leave obtain'd . ^ 

Unacceptable, though in Heaven, our state 
Of splendid vassalage ; but rather seek 
Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 
Live to ourselves, though in this vast recess, 
Free, and to none accountable, preferring 255 

Hard liberty, before the easy yoke 
Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear 
Then most conspicuous when, great things of small, 
Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse, 
We can create; and in what place so e'er 260 

Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain, 
Through labor and endurance. This deep world* 
Of darkness do we dread ? How oft, amidst 
Thick clouds and dark, doth Heaven's all-ruling Sire 
Choose to reside, his glory unobscured, 265 

And with the majesty of darkness round 
Covers his throne ; from whence deep thunders roar, 
Mustering their rage, and Heaven resembles Hell ? 
As he our darkness, cannot we his light 
imitate when we please? This desert soil 270 

Wants not her hidden lustre, gems and gold ; 
Nor want, we skill or art. from whence to raise 



PARADISE LOST. 47 

Magnificence ; and what can Heaven show more ? 

Our. torments also may, in length of time, 

Become our t elements ; these piercing fires 275 

As soft aSf'nOw severe, our temper changed 

Into their temper ; which must needs remove 

The sensible of pain. All things invite 

To peaceful counsels, and the settled state 

Of order; how in safety best we may 280 

Compose our present evils, with regard 

Of what we are, and where ; dismissing quite 

All thoughts of war : — ye have what I advise." 

He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fill'd 
The assembly, as "when hollow rocks retain 285 

The sound of blustering winds, which all night long 
Had roused the sea ; now with hoarse cadence lull 
Sea-faring men, o'er-watch'd, whose bark, by chance, 
Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay 
After the tempest. Such applause was heard 
As Mammon ended, and his sentence pleased, 
Advising peace : for such another field 
They dreaded worse than Hell : so much the fear 
Of thunder, and the sword of Michael, 
Wrought still within them ; and no less desire 295 

To found this nether emDire, which might rise 
By policy, and A ong process of time, 
In emulation opposite to Heaven. 
Which when Beelzebub perceived; than whom, 
Satan except, none higher sat, with grave 300 

Aspect he rose; and in his rising seem'd 
A pillar of state. Deep on his front, engraven 
Deliberation sat, and public care ; 
And princely counsel in his face yet shone, 
Majestic though in ruin : sage he stood, 305 

With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear 
The weight of mightiest monarchies. His look 
Drew audience and attention, still as night, 
Or summer's noon-tide air, while thus he spake : — 

''Thrones and Imperial Powers! Offspring of Heaven' 
Ethereal Virtues ! or, these titles now . 310 

Must we renounce, and changing style, be call'd 
Princes of Hell ? for so the popular vote 
Inclines, here to continue, 'and build up here 
A growing empire. Doubtless ! while we dream, 
And know not, that the King of Heaven hath doom'd 315 
This place our dungeon ; not our safe retreat, 
Beyond his potent arm ; to live exempt 
From Heaven's high jurisdiction, in new league, 



48 PARADISE LOST. 

Banded against his throne; but to remain 

In strictest bondage, though thus far removed, 320 

Under the inevitable curb, reserved 

His captive multitude. For he, be sure, 

In highth or depth, still first and last will reign, 

Sole King, and of his kingdom lose no part 

By our revolt; but over Hell extend 325 

His empire, and with iron sceptre rule 

Us here, as with his golden, those in Heaven. 

What sit we then projecting peace and war ? 

War hath determined us, and foil'd with loss 

Irreparable : terms of peace yet none 330 

Vouchsafed or sought. For what peace will be given 

To us enslaved, but custody severe, 

And stripes, and arbitrary punishment 

Inflicted ? and what peace can we return ? 

But to our power hostility and hate, 335 

Untamed reluctance, and revenge, though slow ; 

Yet ever plotting, how the conqueror least 

May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 

In doing, what we most in suffering feel. 

Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need, 340 

With dangerous expedition, to invade / 

Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault, or siege, 

Or ambush, from the deep. What if we find 

Some easier enterprise ? There is a place ; 

If ancient and prophetic fame in Heaven 345 

Err not ; another world, the happy seat 

OF some new race call'd man, about this time 

To be created, like to us, though less 

In power and excellence, but favor'd more 

Of Him who rules above. So was his will 350 

Pronounced among the Gods ; and by an oath, 

That shook Heaven's whole circumference, confirm d„ 

Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn ; 

What creatures there inhabit; of what mould 

Or substance ; how endued, and what their power, 355 

And where their weakness ; how attempted best, 

By force or subtlety. Though Heaven be shut, 

And Heaven's high Arbitrator sit secure 

In his own strength ; this place may lie exposed 

The utmost border of his kingdom, left 360 

To their defence who hold it. Here, perhaps, 

Some advantageous act may be achieved, 

By sudden onset; either with Hell-fire, 

To waste his whole creation, or possess 

All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, 365 



PARADISE LOST. 49 

The puny habitants ; or, if not drive, 
Seduce them to our party, that their God 
May prove their foe, and with repenting hand 
Abolish his own works. This would surpass 
Common revenge ; and interrupt his joy, 37Q 

In our confusion, and our joy upraise, 
In his disturbance ; when his darling sons, 
HuiTd headlong, to partake with us, shall curse 
Their frail original, and faded bliss, 
Faded so soon. Advise, if this be worth 375 

Attempting; or to sit in darkness here, 
Hatching vain empires." Thus Beelzebub 
Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devised 
By Satan, and in part proposed. For whence, 
But from the author of all ill, could spring 380 

So deep a malice, to confound the race 
Of mankind, in one root, and Earth with Hell 
To mingle and involve; done all to spite 
The great Creator ? But their spite still serves 
His glory to augment. The bold design 385 

Pleased highly those infernal States, and joy 
Sparkled in all their eyes; with full assent 
They vote : whereat his speech he thus renews : 
" Well have ye judged, well ended long debate, 
Synod of Gods ; and, like to what ye are, 390 

Great things resolved : which, from the lowest deep, 
Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, 
Nearer our ancient seat ; perhaps in view 
Of those bright confines, whence, with neighb'ring arms, 
And opportune excursion, we may chance 395 

Re-enter Heaven ; or else in some mild zone 
Dwell, not unvisited of Heaven's fair light, 
Secure ; and at the bright'ning orient beam 
Purge off this gloom : the soft delicious air, 
To heal the scar of these corrosive fires, 400 

Shall breathe her balm. But first, whom shall we send 
In search of this new world ? whom shall we find 
Sufficient ? who shall tempt, with wandering feet 
The dark, unbottom'd, infinite abyss, 
And through the palpable obscure find out 405 

His uncouth way ; or spread his airy flight, 
Upborne with indefatigable wings, 
Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 
The happy isle ? What strength, what art can then 
Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 410 

Through the strict senteries and stations thick 
Of Angels watching round ? Here he had need 



30 PARADISE LOST. 

All circumspection ; and we, now, no less 

Choice in our suffrage ; for on whom we send, 

The weight of all, and our last hope, relies." 415 

This said, he sat ; and expectation held 
His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd 
To second, or oppose, or undertake 
The perilous attempt : but all sat mute, 
Pondering the danger, with deep thoughts ; and each 420 
In other's countenance read his own dismay, 
Astonish'd. None among the choice and prime 
Of those Heaven-warring champions, could be found 
So hardy, as to proffer or accept, 
Alone, the dreadful voyage ; till at last 425 

Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised 
Above his fellows, with monarchal pride, 
Conscious of highest worth, unmoved, thus spake 

" O progeny of Heaven ! empyreal thrones ! 
With reason hath deep silence and demur 430 

Seized us, though undismay'd : long is the way 
And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light ; 
Our prison strong ; this huge convex of fire, 
Outrageous to devour, immures us round 
Ninefold; and gates of burning adamant, 435 

Barred over us, prohibit all egress. 
These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound 
Of unessential Night receives him next, 
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 
Threatens him, plunged in that abortive gulf. 440 

If thence he 'scape, into whatever world, 
Or unknown region, what remains him less 
Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape ? 
But I should ill become this throne, O Peers, 
And this imperial sovereignty, adorn'd 44^ 

With splendor, arm'd with power, if aught proposed, 
And judged of public moment, in the shape 
Of difficulty or danger, could deter 
Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 
These royalties, and not refuse to reign, 450 

Refusing to accept as great a share 
Of hazard as of hcriOur, due alike 
To him who reigns, and so much to him due 
Cf hazard more, as he above the rest 
High honor'd sits ? Go, therefore, mighty powers ! 455 

I error of Heaven, though fall'n ! intend at home, 
While here shall be our home, what best may ease 
The present misery, and render Hell 
More tolerable ; if there be cure or charm 



N 



PARADISE LOST. 51 

To respite, or deceive, or slack the pain 460 

Of this ill mansion. Intermit no watch 
Against a wakeful foe, while I, abroad, 
Through all the coasts of dark destruction, seek 
Deliverance for us all. This enterprise 
None shall partake with me." Thus saying, rose 465 

The Monarch, and prevented all reply ; 
Prudent, lest, from his resolution raised, 
Others among the chief might offer now, 
Certain to be refused, what erst they fear'd ; 
And, so refused, might in opinion stand 470 

His rivals ; winning cheap the high repute, 
Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they 
Dreaded not more the adventure, than his voice 
Forbidding ; and at once with him they rose : 
Their rising, all at once, was as the sound 475 

Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend, 
With awful reverence prone ; and as a God 
Extol him, equal to the Highest in Heaven. 
Nor fail'd they to express, how much they praised, I 
That, for the general safety, he despised 480 

His own : for neither do the Spirits damn'd 
Lose all their virtue, lest bad men should boast 
Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, 
Or close ambition, varnish'd o'er with zeal. 
Thus they their doubtful consultations dark 485 

Ended, rejoicing in their matchless Chief: 
As when from mountain-tops the dusky clouds 
Ascending, while the north- wind sleeps, o'erspread 
Heaven's cheerful face, the louring element 
Scowls o'er the darken'd landscape, snow, or shower ; £90 
If chance the radiant sun, with farewell sweet, 
Extend his evening-beam, the fields revive, 
The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds 
Attest their joy, that hill and valley ring. 
( O shame to men ! Devil with Devil damn'd 495 

Firm concord holds, men only disagree 
Of creatures rational; though under hope 
Of heavenly grace, and God proclaiming peace : 
Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife, 
Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, 500 

Wasting the earth, each other to destroy ; 
As if, which might induce us to accord, 
Man had not hellish foes enow besides, 
That day and night for his destruction wait.") 

The Stygian council thus dissolved ; and forth 505 

In order came the grand infernal peers. 

e 2 



52 PARADISE LOST. 

Midst came their mighty paramount, and seem'd 

Alone the antagonist of Heaven ; nor less 

Than Hell's dread emperor, with pomp supreme, 

And god-like imitated state : him round 510 

A globe of fiery seraphim enclosed, 

With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. 

Then of their session ended they bid cry, 

With trumpets' regal sound, the great result. 

Toward the four winds, four speedy Cherubim 515 

Put to their mouths the sounding alchemy, 

By herald's voice explain'd : the hollow abyss 

Heard far and wide, and all the host of Hell, 

With deafening shout, return'd them loud acclaim. 

Thence, more at ease their minds, and somewhat rais'd 520 

By false presumptuous hope, the ranged Powers 

Disband ; and wandering each his several way, 

Pursues, as inclination or sad choice 

Leads him, perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 

Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain 525 

The irksome hours, till his great chief return. 

Part on the plain, or in the air sublime 

Upon the wing ; or in swift race contend, 

As at the Olympian games or Pythian fields : 

Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal 530 

With rapid wheels, or fronted brigades form : 

As when, to warn proud cities, war appears 

Waged in the troubled sky, and armies rush 

To battle in the clouds ; before each van 

Prick forth the airy knights, and couch their spears 535 

Till thickest legions close \ with feats of arms, 

From either end of Heaven, the welkin burns. 

Others, with vast Typhcean rage more fell, 

Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air 

In whirlwind ; Hell scarce holds the wild uproar. 540 

As when Alcides, from (Echalia crown'd - 

With conquest, felt the envenom'd robe, and tore, 

Through pain, up by the roots, Thessalian pines ; 

And Lichas, from the top of (Eta, threw 

Into the Euboic sea. Others more mild, 545 

Retreated in a silent valley ; sing, 

With notes angelical, to many a harp, 

Their own heroic deeds, and hapless fall 

By doom of battle ; and complain, that fate 

Free virtue should enthral to force or chance n 550 

Their song was partial; but the harmony, 

What could it less when Spirits immortal sing ? 

Suspended Hell ; and took with ravishment 



PARADISE LOST. 53 

The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet, 

For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense, 555 

Others apart sat, on a hill retired, 

In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high 

Of Providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate ; 

Fix'd fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute; 

And found no end, in wandering mazes lost : 560 

Of good and evil much they argued then, 

Of happiness ; and final misery, 

Passion and apathy, and glory, and shame ; 

Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy : 

Yet, with a pleasing sorcery, could charm 565 

Pain for a while, or anguish, and excite 

Fallacious hope ; or arm the obdured breast 

With stubborn patience, as with triple steel. 

Another part, in squadrons and gross bands, 

On bold adventure, to discover wide 570 

That dismal world, if any clime perhaps 

Might yield them easier habitation, bend 

Four ways their flying march, along the banks 

Of four infernal rivers, that disgorge 

Into the burning lake, their baleful streams ; 575 

( Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate ; 
Sad Acheron, of sorrow black and deep ; 
Cocytus, named of lamentation loud 
Heard on the rueful stream; fierce Phlegethon, 
Whose waves of torrent-fire inflame with rage. 580 

Far off from these, a slow and silent stream, 
Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls 
Her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks, 
Forthwith his former state and being forgets ; 
Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. ) 585 

Beyond this flood, a frozen continent 
Lies, dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms 
Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land 
Thaws not ; but gathers heap, and ruin seems 
Of ancient pile : or else deep snow and ice, 590 

A gulf profound, as that Serbonian bog 
Betwixt Damiata and Mount Casius old, 
Where armies whole have sunk : the parching air 
Burns frore, and cold performs the effect of fire. 
Thither, by harpy-footed furies haled, 595 

At certain revolutions, all the damn'd 
Are brought ; and feel by turns the bitter change 
Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce ; 
From beds of raging fire, to starve in ice 
Their soft ethrreal warmth, and there to pine 600 



5 4 PARADISE LOST. 

Immovable, infix'd, and frozen round, 

Periods oi' time ; thence hurried back to fire. 

They ferry over this Lethean sound, 

Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment ; 

and wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 605 

The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose, 

In sweet forge tfulness, all pain and woe, 

All in one moment, and so near the brink : 

But Fate withstands ; and to oppose the attempt, 

Medusa, with Gorgonian terror, guards 610 

The ford ; and of itself the water flies 

All taste of living wight, as once it fled 

The lip of Tantalus. Thus roving on, 

In confused march forlorn, the adventurous bands, 

With shuddering horror pale, and eyes aghast, 615 

View'd first their lamentable lot, and found 

No rest. Through many a dark and dreary vale 

They pass'd, and many a region dolorous ; 

O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp, 

Rocks, caves, lakes, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death ; 

A universe of death, which God by curse 62 

Created evil, for evil only good : 

Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds, 

Perverse, all monstrous, all prodigious things, 

Abominable, inutterable, and worse 625 

Than fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceived, 

Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimseras dire. 

Meanwhile the Adversary of God and Man, 
Satan, with thoughts inflamed of highest design, 
Puts on swift wings, and towards the gates of Hell 63C 

Explores his solitary flight. Sometimes 
He scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left : 
Now shaves with level wing the deep, then soars 
Up to the fiery concave, towering high : 
As when, far off at sea, a fleet descry'd 635 

Hangs on the clouds, by equinoctial winds 
Close sailing from Bengala, or the isles 
Of Ternate and Tidore, whence merchants bring 
Their spicy drugs ; they, on the trading flood, 
Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape 640 

Ply, stemming nightly toward the pole : so seem'd 
Far off the flying Fiend. At last appear 
Hell bounds, high reaching to the horrid roof, 
A ml thrice three-fold the gates; three folds were brass, 
Three iron, three of adamantine rock, 

Impenetrable, empaled with circling fire, 645 

Yet unconsumed. Before the gates there sat, 



PARADISE LOST 55 

On either side, a formidable shape; 

The one seem'd woman to the waist, and fair, 

But ended foul, in many a scaly fold, 650 

Voluminous and vast, a serpent arm'd 

With mortal sting : about her middle round 

A cry of Hell-hounds never ceasing bark'd, 

With wide Cerberean mouths full loud, and rung 

A hideous peal ; yet, when they list, would creep, 655 

If aught disturb'd their noise, into her womb, 

And kennel there ; yet there still bark'd and howl'd 

Within, unseen. Far less abhorr'd than these 

Vex'd Scylla, bathing in the sea, that parts 

Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore : 660 

Nor uglier follow the night-hag, when, call'd 

In secret, riding through the air she comes, 

Lured with the smell of infant blood, to dance 

With Lapland witches ; while the labouring moon 

Eclipses at their charms. The other shape, 665 

If shape it might be call'd that shape had none 

Distinguishable, in member, joint, or limb ; 

Or substance might be call'd, that shadow seem'd, 

For each seem'd either : black it stood as Night, 

Fierce as ten furies, terrible as Hell, 670 

And shook a dreadful dart : what seem'd his head, 

The likeness of a kingly crown had on. 

Satan was now at hand ; and from his seat 

The monster, moving onward, came as fast, 

With horrid strides : Hell trembled as he strode. 675 

The undaunted fiend, what this might be, admired, 

Admired, not fear'd : God and his Son except, 

Created thing nought valued he, nor shunn'd ; 

And with disdainful look, thus first began : 

" Whence, and what art thou, execrable shape, 680 

That darest, though grim and terrible, advance 
Thy miscreated front athwart my way 
To yonder gates ? Through them I mean to pass, 
That be assured, without leave asked of thee. 
Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof 685 

Hell-born, not to contend with Spirits of Heaven." 

To whom the goblin, full of wrath, replied 
"Art thou that traitor -Angel, art thou he, 
Who first broke peace in heaven, and faith, till then 
Unbroken ; and, in proud rebellious arms, 690 

Drew after him the third part of heaven's sons 
Conjured against the Highest ; for which both thou 
And they, outcast from God, are here condemn'd 
To waste eternal days in woe and pain ? 



56 PARADISE LOST. 

And reckon'st thou thyself with Spirits of Heaven, 695 

Hell-doom'd, and breathest defiance here and scorn, 

Where I reign king, and, to enrage thee more, 

Thy king and lord ? Back to thy punishment, 

False fugitive ; and to thy speed add wings, 

Lest, with a whip of scorpions, I pursue 700 

Thy lingering ; or, with one stroke of this dart 

Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before." 

So spake the grisly Terror, and in shape, 
So speaking, and so threatening, grew ten-fold 
More dreadful and deform. On the other side, 705 

Incensed with indignation, Satan stood 
Unterrified ; and like a comet burned, 
That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge, 
In the arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 
Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head 710 

Levell'd his deadly aim : their fatal hands 
No second stroke intend ; and such a frown 
Each cast at the other, as when two black clouds, 
With heaven's artillery fraught, come rattling on 
Over the Caspian; then stand front to front, ?15 

Hovering a space, till winds the signal blow, 
To join their dark encounter in mid air. 
So frown'd the mighty combatants, that Hell 
Grew darker at their frown ; so match'd they stood : 
For never but once more was either like 720 

To meet so great a foe : and now great deeds 
Had been achieved, whereof all Hell had rung, 
Had not the snaky sorceress, that sat 
Fast by hell-gate, and kept the fatal key, 
Risen, and with hideous outcry rush'd between. 725 

" O Father, what intends thy hand," she cried, 
" Against thy only son ? What fury, O son, 
Possesses thee, to bend that mortal dart 
Against thy father's head ? and kno w'st for whom ? 
For him, who sits above, and laughs the while 730 

At thee, ordain'd his drudge, to execute 
Whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids ; 
His wrath, which one day will destroy ye both." 

She spake, and at her words the hellish pest 
Forbore ; then these to her Satan returned : 735 

" So strange thy outcry, and thy words so strange 
Thou interposest, that my sudden hand, 
Prevented, spares to tell thee yet by deeds, 
What it intends ; till first I know of thee, 
What thing thou art, thus double-form 'd; and why, 740 

In thiJ» infernal vale first met, thou call'st 



PARADISE LOST. 57 

Me father, and that phantasm call'st my son 
I know thee not, nor ever saw till now 
Sight more detestable, than him and thee." 

To whom, thus the portress of Hell- gate replied. 745 

' Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem 
Now in thine eye so foul ? once deem'd so fair 
In Heaven, when at the assembly, and in sight 
Of all the Seraphim, with thee combined, 
In bold conspiracy against Heaven's King, 750 

All on a sudden miserable pain 
Surprised thee ; dim thine eyes, and dizzy swam 
In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast 
Threw forth, till on the left side, opening wide, 
Likest to thee in shape and countenance bright, 755 

Then shining heavenly fair, a goddess arm'd, 
Out of thy head 1 sprang. Amazement seized 
All the host of Heaven ; back they recoil'd, afraid 
At first, and call'd me Sin: and for a sign 
Portentous held me: but familiar grown, 760 

I pleased, and with attractive graces won 
The most averse; thee chiefly, who full oft, 
Thyself in me thy perfect image viewing, 
Becamestenamour'd (and such joy thou took'st 
With me in secret, that my womb conceived 765 

A growing burden. . Mean while war arose, 
And fields were fought in Heaven ; wherein remain'd, 
For what could else ? to our Almighty Foe 
Clear victory ; to our part, loss and rout, 
Through all the empyrean. Down they fell 770 

Driven headlong from the pitch of Heaven, down 
Into this deep; and, in the general fall, 
I also : at which time, this powerful key 
Into my hand was given, with charge to keep 
These gates for ever shut ; which none can pass 775 

Without my opening. Pensive here I sat, 
Alone; but long I sat not, till my womb, 
Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown, 
Prodigious motion felt, and rueful throes. 
At last this odious offspring whom thou seest, 780 

Thine own begotten, breaking violent way. 
Tore through my entrails ; that with fear and pain 
Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew 
Transform'd : but he, my inbred enemy 
Forth issued, brandishing his fatal dart, 785 

Made to destroy. I fled, and cried out, Death ! 
Hell trembled at the hideous name, and sigh'd 
From all her caves, and back resounded, Death ! 



58 PARADISE LOST. 

I fled; but he pursued, though more, it seems, 

Inflamed with lust than rage, and swifter far, 7^5 

Me overtook, his mother, all dismay'd, 

And in embraces forcible and foul 

Ingendering with me, of that rape begot 

These yelling monsters, that with ceaseless cry 

Surround me, as thou saw'st; hourly conceived 800 

And hourly born > with sorrow infinite 

To me ; for when they list, into the womb 

That bred them they return, and howl and gnaw 

My bowels, their repast : then bursting forth 

Afresh, with conscious terrors vex me round ; 805 

That rest or intermission none I find. 

Before mine eyes, in opposition sits 

Grim Death, my son and foe, who sets them on ; 

And me, his parent, would full soon devour, 

For want of other prey, but that he knows 810 

His end with mine involved ; and knows, that I 

Should prove a bitter morsel, and his bane, 

Whenever that shall be : so Fate pronounced. 

But thou, O father, I forewarn thee, shun 

His deadly arrow ; neither vainly hope #15 

To be invulnerable in those bright arms, 

Though temper'd heavenly ; for, that mortal dint 

Save he who reigns above, none can resist." 

She finish'd ; and the subtle fiend his lore 
Soon learn'd , now milder, and thus answer'd smooth 820 

" Dear daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy sire, 
And my fair son here show'st me, the dear pledge 
Of dalliance had with thee in Heaven, and joys 
Then sweet, now sad to mention , through dire change 
Befallen us unforeseen, unthought of; know, 825 

I come no enemy, but to set free, 
From out this dark and dismal house of pain 
Both him and thee ; and all the heavenly host 
Of Spirits, that, in our just pretences arm'd, 
Fell with us from on high. From them I go 830 

This uncouth errand, sole, and one for all, 
Myself expose ; with lonely steps to tread 
The unfounded deep, and through the void immense 
To search, with wandering quest, a place foretold 
Should be, and, by concurring signs, ere now 835 

Created, vast and round, a place of bliss, 
In the purlieus of Heaven ; and therein placed 
A race of upstart creatures, to supply 
Perhaps our vacant room, though more removed ; 
Lest Heaven, surcharged with potent multitude, #40 



PARADISE LOST 59 

Might hap to move new broils. Be this, or aught 

Than this more secret, now design'd, I haste 

To know; and, this once known, shall soon return, 

And bring ye to the place, where thou and Death 

Shall dwell at ease ; and up and down unseen 846 

Wing silently the buxom air, imbalm'd 

With odours ; there ye shall be fed and fill'd 

Immeasurably : all things shall be your prey." 

He ceased; for both seem'd highly pleased, and Death 
Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear 850 

His famine should be fill'd ; and bless'd his maw, 
Destined to that good hour : no less rejoiced 
His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire : 

"The key of this infernal pit by due, 
And by command of Heaven's all-powerful King, 855 

I keep ; by him forbidden to unlock 
These adamantine gates : against all force 
Death ready stands to interpose his dart. * 
Fearless to be o'ermatch'd by living might. 
But what owe I to his commands above, 860 

Who hates me, and hath hither thrust me down, 
Into this gloom of Tartarus profound ; 
To sit in hateful office here confined, 
Inhabitant of heaven, and heavenly-born, 
Here, in perpetual agony and pain, 865 

With terrors and with clamours compass'd round 
Of mine own brood, that on my bow T els feed? 
Thou art my father, thou my author, thou 
My being gavest me ; whom should I obey 
But thee? whom follow ? thou wilt bring me soon 870 

To that new world of light and bliss, among 
The Gods who live at ease ; where I shall reign 
At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems 
Thy daughter and thy darling, without end." 

Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, 875 

Sad instrument of all our woe, she took ; 
And towards the gate rolling her bestial train, 
Forthwith the huge portcullis high up drew; 
Which, but herself, not all the Stygian Powers 
Could once have moved : then in the keyhole turns 880 

The intricate wards, and every bolt and bar, 
Of massy iron or solid rock, with ease 
Unfastens.* On a sudden open fly, 
With impetuous recoil and jarring sound 
The infernal doors, and on their hinges grate 385 

Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook 
Of Erebus. She open'd ; but to shut 



60 PARADISE LOST. 

Excell'd her power ; the gates wide open stood, 

That with extended wings, a banner'd host, 

Under spread ensigns marching, might passthrough, 890 

With horse and chariots rank'd in loose array ; 

So wide they stood ; and like a furnace-mouth 

Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame. 

Before their eyes, in sudden view appear, 

The secrets of the hoary deep ; a dark 895 

Illimitable ocean, without bound, 

Without dimension; where length, breadth, & high th, 

And time, and place, are lost ; -where eldest Night 

And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold 

Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise 900 

Of endless wars; and by confusion stand. V 

For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, 

Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring 

Their embryon atoms : they around the flag 

Of each his faction, in their several clans, 905 

Light-arm'd , or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift, or slow, 

Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the sands 

Of Barca or Cyrene's torrid soil, 

Levied to side with warring winds, and poize 

Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere 910 

He rules a moment : Chaos umpire sits, 

And by decision more embroils the fray, 

By which he reigns : next him, high arbiter, 

Chance governs all. Into this wild abyss, 

The womb of Nature, and perhaps her grave, 915 

Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, 

But all these, in their pregnant causes, mix'd 

Confusedly ; and which thus must ever fight, 

Unless the Almighty Maker them ordain, 

His dark materials, to create more worlds : 920 

Into this wild abyss, the wary fiend 

Stood on the brink of Hell, and look'd a while, 

Pondering his voyage ; for no narrow frith 

He had to cross. Nor was his ear less peal'd 

With noises loud and ruinous, to compare 925 

Great things with small, than when Bellonastorms 

With all her battering engines, bent to rase 

Some capital city ; or less, than if this frame 

Of Heaven were falling, and these elements 

In mutiny, had from her axle torn 930 

The stedfast earth. At last, his sail-broad vans 

He spreads for flight, and, in the surging smoke 

Uplifted, spurns the ground: thencemanyalengue, 

As in a cloudy chair ascending ; rides 



PARADISE LOST 01 

Audacious ; but that seat soon failing, meets 935 

A vast vacuity. All unawares, 

Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb down he drops 

Ten thousand fathom deep ; and to this hour 

Down had been falling, had not, by ill chance, 

The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud, 940 

Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him 

As many miles aloft : that fury stay'd, 

Quench'd in a boggy syrtis, neither sea, 

Nor good dry land ; nigh founder'd, on he fares, 

Treading the crude consistence, half on foot, 945 

Half flying ; behoves him now both oar and sail. 

As when a griffon, through the wilderness 

With winged course, o'er hill or moory dale, 

Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth 

Had, from his wakeful custody, purloin'd 950 

The guarded gold : so eagerly the fiend, [rare, 

O'er bog, or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare. 

With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way ; 

And swims, or sinks, or wad&s, or creeps, or flies. 

At length an universal hubbub wild 955 

Of stunning sounds, and voices all confused, 

Borne through the hollow dark, assaults his ear 

With loudest vehemence. Thither he plies. 

Undaunted, to meet there, whatever power, 

Or spirit, of the nethermost abyss, 960 

Might in that noise reside ; of whom to ask, 

Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies, 

Bordering on light : when, straight, behold the throne 

Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion, spread 

Wide on the wasteful deep :*with him enthroned, 965 

Sat (sable-vested Night, eldest of things,) 

The consort of his reign ; and by them stood 

Orcus and Ades, and the dreadful name 

Of Demogorgon : Rumor next, and Chance, 

And Tumult, and Confusion, all embroil'd ; 970 

And Discord, with a thousand various mouths. 

To whom Satan, turning boldly, thus. "Ye powers 

And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, 

Chaos and ancient Night, I come no spy, 

With purpose to explore, or to disturb, 975 

The secrets of your realm ; but by constraint, 

Wandering this darksome desert, as my way 

Lies through your spacious empire, up to light : 

Alone, and without guide, half lost, I seek 

What readiest path leads, where your gloomy bounds 980 

Confine with Heaven ; or if some other place, 



62 PARADISE LOST. 

From your dominion won, the ethereal King 

Possesses lately, thither to arrive, 

1 travel this profound : direct my course ; 

Directed, no mean recompense it brings pg5 

To your behoof; if I that region lost, 

All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce 

To her original darkness, and your sway 

Which is my present journey and once more 

Erect the standard there of ancient Night. 99Q 

Yours be the advantage all, mine the revenge." 

Thus Satan; and him thus the Anarch old, 
With faltering speech and visage incomposed, 
Answer'd: "I know .thee, Stranger, who thou art; 
That mighty leading angel, who of late 995 

Made head against Heaven's King, though overthrown 
I saw and heard ; for such a numerous host 
Fled not in silence, through the frighted deep, 
With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, 
Confusion worse confounded ;j/and Heaven-gates 1000 

Pour'd out by millions her victorious bands, 
Pursuing. I upon my frontiers here 
Keep residence ; if all I can will serve 
That little, which is left so to defend, 
Encroach'd on still, through your intestine broils, 1005 

Weakening the sceptre of old Night: first Hell, 
Your dungeon, stretching far and wide beneath , 
Now lately Heaven and Earth, another world, 
Hung o'er my realm, link'd in a golden chain 
, To that side Heaven , from whence your legions fell 1010 

If that way be your walk, you have not far; 
So much the nearer danger : go, and speed : 
Havoc, and spoil, and ruin are my gain." 

He ceased ; and Satan staid not to reply ; 
But glad, that now his sea should find a shore, 1015 

With fresh alacrity and force renew'd, 
Springs upward, like a pyramid of fire, 
Into the wild expanse; and, through the shock 
Of fighting elements, on all sides round 
Environ 'd, wins his way; harder beset 1020 

And more endanger'd, than when Argo pass'd 
Through Bosporus, betwixt the justling rocks : 
Or when Ulysses, on the larboard, shunn'd 
Chary bdis, and by the other whirlpool steer'd. 
So he, with difficulty and labour hard, 1025 

Moved on ; with difficulty and labour he. 
But he once past, soon after, when man fell, 
Strange alteration ! Sin and Death amain, 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK III. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

God sitting on his Throne, sees Satan flying towards this world, then 
newly created; shows him to the Son, who sat at his right hand; 
foretels the success of Satan in perverting mankind; clears his 
own justice and wisdom from all imputation, having created Man 
free, and able enough to have withstood his tempter ; yet de- 
clares his purpose of grace towards him, in regard he fell not of 
his own malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. The Son of 
God renders praises to his Father for the manifestation of his 
gracious purpose towards Man: but God again declares, that 
grace cannot be extended towards Man, without the satisfaction 
of divine justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God, by 
aspiring to Godhead ; and therefore, with all his progeny, devoted 
to death, must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to 
answer for his offence, and undergo his punishment. ' The Son 
or God freely offers himself a ransom for Man: the Father 
accepts him, ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation 
above all names in Heaven and Earth ; commands all the Angels 
to adore him : they obey, and, hymning to their harps in full 
quire, celebrate the Father and the Son. Mean while, Satan 
alights, upon the bare convex of this world's outermost orb; 
where wandering, he first finds a place, since called the Limbo of 
Vanity: what persons and things fly up thither: thence comes 
to the gate of Heaven, described ascending by stairs, and the 
waters above the firmament that flow about it : his passage thence 
to the orb of the sun; he finds there Uriel, the regent of that 
orb, but first changes himself into the shape of a meaner Angel ; 
and, pretending a zealous desire to behold the new creation, and 
Man whom God had placed here, inquires of him the place of his 
habitation, and is directed : alights first on Mount Niphates. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK III. 



Hail, holy Light ! offspring of Heaven first-bom ; 
Or, of the Eternal co-eternal beam, 
May I express thee unblamed? since God is light, 
And never but in un approached light 
Dwelt from eternity ; dwelt then in thee, 5 

Bright effluence of bright essence increate. 
Or hear'st thou rather, pure ethereal stream, 
Whose fountain who shall tell? before the sun, 
Before the Heavens thou wert ; and at the voice 
Of God, as with a mantle, didst invest 10 

The rising world of waters, dark and deep, 
Won from the void and formless infinite. 
Thee I revisit now with bolder wing, 
Escaped the Stygian pool ; though long detain'd 
In that obscure sojourn; while, in my flight, 15 

Through utter and through middle darkness borne, 
With other notes, than to the Orphean lyre, 
I sung of Chaos and eternal Night ; 
Taught, by the heavenly muse, to venture down 
The dark descent, and up to re-ascend, 20 

Though hard and rare. Thee I revisit safe, 
And feel thy sovereign vital lamp ; but thou 
Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain 
To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn ; 
So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, 23 

Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more 
Cease I to wander, where the muses haunt, 
Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill 
Smit with the love of sacred song : but chief 
Thee, Sion, and the flowery brooks beneath, 30 

That wash thy hallow'd feet and warbling flow 
Nightly I visit. Nor, sometimes, forget 
Those other two, equall'd with me in fate 
So were I equall'd with them in renown, 
Blind Thamyris, and blind Maeonides; 35 

And Tiresias, and Phineus, prophets old • 
Then feed on thoughts, that voluntary move 

f2 



68 PARADISE LOST. 

Harmonious numbers ; as the wakeful bird 

Sings darkling, and, in shadiest covert hid, 

Tunes her nocturnal note. (Thus with the year 4Q 

Seasons return ; but not to me returns 

Day, or the sweet approach of even or morn, 

Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 

Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine : 

But cloud instead, and ever-during dark 45 

Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men 

Cut off; and, for the book of knowledge fair, 

Presented with a universal blank 

Of Nature's works, to me expunged and rased ;} 

And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 50 

So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 

Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 

Irradiate ; there plant eyes ; all mist from thence 

Purge and disperse, that I may see, and tell 

Of things invisible to mortal sight. 55 

Now had the Almighty Father from above, 
From the pure empyrean, where he sits 
High throned, above all highth, bent down his eye, 
His own works, and their works, at once to view. 
About him all the Sanctities of Heaven 60 

Stood thick as stars, and from his sight received 
Beatitude past utterance : on his right 
The radiant image of his glory sat, 
His only Son. ( On earth he first beheld 
Our two first parents, yet the only two 65 

Of mankind, in the happy garden placed, 
Reaping immortal fruits of joy and love ; 
Uninterrupted joy, unrivall'd love, 
In blissful solitude. , He then survey'd 

Hell, and the gulf between, and Satan there, 70 

Coasting the wall of Heaven, on this side Night, 
In the dun air sublime ; and ready now 
To stoop, with wearied wings, and willing feet, 
On the bare outside of this world, that seem'd 
Firm land imbosomed, without firmament, 75 

Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. 
Him God beholding, from his prospect high, 
Wherein past, present, future he beholds ; 
Thus to his only Son, foreseeing, spake. 

" Only begotten Son ! seest thou what rage 80 

Transports our adversary ? whom no bounds 
Prescribed, no bars of Hell, nor all the chains 
Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main abyss, 
Wide interrupt, can hold ; so bent he seems 



PARADISE LOST. 69 

On desperate revenge, that shall redound 35 

Upon his own rebellious head And now, 

Through all restraint broke loose, he wings his way 

Not far off Heaven, in the preeincts of light 

Directly towards the new created world, 

And man there placed ; with purpose to essay, 90 

If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, 

By some false guile pervert ; and shall pervert : 

For man will hearken to his glozing lies, 

And easily transgress the sole command, 

Sole pledge of his obedience; so will fal 1 95 

He and his faithless progeny. — Whose fault ? 

Whose, but his own ? Ingrate ! he had of me, 

All he could have :(I made him just and right, 

Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.). 

Such I created all the ethereal powers 100 

And Spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd ; 

Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. 

Not free, what proof could they have given sincere 

Of true allegiance, constant faith or love, 

Where only what they needs must do appear'd, 105 

Not what they would ? what praise could they receive ? 

What pleasure I from such obedience paid, 

When will and reason (reason also is choice; 

Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd, 

Made passive both, had served necessity, 110 

Not me ? They, therefore, as to right belong'd 

So were created ; nor can justly accuse 

Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, 

As if predestination over-ruled 

Their will, disposed by absolute decree, 115 

Or high foreknowledge. They themselves decreed 

Their own revolt, not I ; if I foreknew, 

Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, 

Which had no less proved certain, unforeknown. 

So, without least impulse, or shadow of fate, 120 

Or aught by me immutably foreseen, 

They trespass; authors to themselves in all, 

Both what they judge, and what they choose; for so 

I form'd them free, and free they must remain, 

Till they enthral themselves : I else must change 1 25 

Their nature, and revoke the high decree 

Unchangeable, eternal, which ordain'd 

Their freedom : they themselves ordain'd their fall. W 

The first sort, by their own suggestion fell, 

Self-tempted, self-depraved. Man falls, deceived 130 

By the other first ; man therefore shall find grace, 



70 PARADISE LOST. 

The other none : in mercy and justice both, 
Through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel ; 
But mercy, first and last, shall brightest shine." 

Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fill'd 135 

AH heaven ; and in the blessed Spirits elect, 
Sense of new joy ineffable diffused 
Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 
Most glorious ; in him all his Father shone, 
Substantially express'd ; and in his face 140 

Divine compassion visibly appear'd, 
Love without end, and without measure grace ; 
Which uttering thus, he to his Father spake. 

"O Father ! gracious was that word, which closed 
Thy sovereign sentence, that man should find grace ; 145 

For which, both Heaven and Earth shall high extol 
Thy praises, with the innumerable sound 
Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne, 
Encompass'd, shall resound thee ever bless'd. 
For should man finally be lost? should man, 150 

Thy creature late so loved, thy youngest son, 
Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd 
With his own tolly ? That be from thee far, 
That far be from thee, Father, who art Judge 
Of all things made, and judgest only right. 3 55 

Or, shall the adversary thus obtain 
His end, and frustrate thine? shall he fulfil 
His malice, and thy goodness bring to nought? 
Or proud return, though to his heavier doom, 
Yet with revenge accomplished, and to Hell 160 

Draw after him the whole race of mankind, 
By him corrupted ? or wilt thou thyself 
Abolish thy creation, and unmake 
For him, what for thy glory thou hast made ? 
So should thy goodness, and thy greatness, both 165 

Bequestion'd, and blasphemed, without defence." 

To whom the great Creator thus replied : 
"O Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight ! 
Son of my bosom! Son, who art alone 
My word, my wisdom, and effectual might ! 170 

All hast thou spoken, as my thoughts are ; all 
As my eternal purpose hath decreed : 
Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will ; 
Yet not of will in him, but grace in me, 
Freely vouchsafed. Once more I will renew 175 

His lapsed powers, though forfeit, and enthrall'd 
By sin, to foul exorbitant desires: 
Upheld by me, yet once more he shall stand, 



PARADISE LOST. 71 

On even ground, against his mortal foe ; 
By me upheld, that he may know how frail 180 

His fallen condition is, and to me owe 
All his deliverance, and to none but me. 
Some I have chosen of peculiar grace, 
Elect above the rest; so is my will: 
The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd \ S5 

Their sinful state ; and to appease betimes 
The incensed Deity, while offer'd grace 
Invites : for I will clear their senses dark, 
What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 
To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 190 

To prayer, repentance, and obedience due, 
Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, 
Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 
And I will place within them, as a guide, 
My umpire, Conscience; whom if they will hear, 195 

Light after light, well used, they shall attain ; 
And to the end persisting, safe arrive. 
This, my long sufferance, and my day of grace, 
They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste ; 
But hard be harden'd, blind be blinded more, 200 

That they may stumble on, and deeper fall ; . 
And none but such from mercy I exclude. 
But yet all is not done : man disobeying, 
Disloyal, breaks his fealty, and sins 
Against the high supremacy of Heaven, 205 

Affecting Godhead, and, so losing all, 
To expiate his treason hath nought left, 
But to destruction sacred and devote, 
He, with his whole posterity, must die; 
Die, he or justice must : unless for him, 210 

Some other, able, and as willing, pay 
The rigid satisfaction, death for death. 
Say, heavenly powers, where shall we find such love ? 
Which of ye will be mortal, to redeem 
Man's mortal crime, and just, the unjust to save? 215 

Dwells in all heaven charity so dear ?'• Jf" 
{ He ask'd ; but all the heavenly quire stood mute, 
And silence was in heaven : )on man's behalf, 
Patron or intercessor, none appear'd; 
Much less that durst upon his own head draw 220 

The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 
And now, without redemption, all mankind 
Must have been lost, adjudged to death and Hell 
By doom severe ; had not the Son of God, 
In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, 225 



72 PARADISZ LOST. 

His dearest mediation thus renew'd : 

"Father! thy wordispass'd, man shall find grace 

And shall grace not find means, that finds her way 

The speediest of thy winged messengers, 

To visit all thy creatures, and to all 230 

Comes unprevented, unimplored, unsought? 

Happy for man, so coming; he her aid 

Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost : 

Atonement for himself, or offering meet, 

Indebted and undone, hath none to bring : 235 

Behold me then ; me for him, life for life 

I offer ; on me let thine anger fall : 

Account me man ; I, for his sake, will leave 

Thy bosom ; and this glory, next to thee, 

Freely put off; and for him lastly die, 240 

Well pleased. On me let Death wreak all his rage ; 

Under his gloomy power, I shall not long- 
Lie vanquish' d ; thou hast given me to possess 

Life in myself for ever ; by thee I live, 

Though now to Death I yield, and am his due, 245 

All that of me can die : yet that debt paid, 

Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave, 

His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul, 

For ever with corruption, there to dwell. 

But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 250 

My vanquisher, spoil'd of his vaunted spoil. 

Death his death's wound shall then receive, and stoop 

Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarm'd. 

I, through the ample air, in triumph high, 

Shall lead Hell captive, maugre Hell, and show 255 

The Powers of darkness bound. Thou, at the sight 

Pleased, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile ; 

While, by thee raised, I ruin all my foes, 

Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave : 

Then, with the multitude of my redeem 'd, 260 

Shall enter Heaven, long absent, and return, 

Father ! to see thy face, wherein no cloud 

Of anger shall remain, but peace assured, 

And reconcilement : wrath shall be no more 

Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire." 265 

His words here ended ; but his meek aspect 

Silent yet spake, and breathed immortal love 

To mortal men ; above which only shone 

Filial obedience. As a sacrifice 

Glad to be offer'd, he attends the will 270 

Of his great Father. Admiration seized 

All Heaven ; what this might mean, and whither tend 



PARADISE LOST. 73 

Wondering : but soon the Almighty thus replied. 
( " O thou, in Heaven and Earth the only peace 
Found out for mankind, under wrath ! O thou, 
My sole complacence ! well thou know'st how deai 275 

To me are all my works, nor man the least, 
Though last created ; that for him I spare 
Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save, 
By losing thee a while, the whole race lost. 
Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, 280 

Their nature also to thy nature join ; 
And be thyself man, among men on earth, 
Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed, 
By wondrous birth. Be thou, in Adam's room, 
The head of all mankind, though Adam's son. 285 

As in him perish all men, so in thee, 
As from a second root, shall be restored 
As many as are restored ; without thee, none?} 
His crime makes guilty all his sons; thy merit 
Imputed shall absolve them, who renounce 290 

Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, 
And live in thee transplanted, and from thee 
Receive new life. So man, as is most just, 
Shall satisfy for man, be judged and die ; 
And dying rise, and, rising, with him raise 295 

His brethren, ransom'd with his own deai life. 
(So heavenly love shall outdo hellish hate, 
Giving to death, and dying to redeem; 
So dearly to redeem, what hellish hate 
So easily destroyed,^ and still destroys 300 

In those who, when they may, accept not grace. 
Nor shalt thou, by descending to assume 
Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own. 
Because thou hast, though throned in highest bliss, 
Equal to God, and equally enjoying 305 

Godlike fruition, quitted all, to save 
A world from utter loss, and hast been found, 
By merit more than birthright, Son ot God ; 
Found worthiest to be so, by being good, 
Far more than great or high : because in thee, 310 

Love hath abounded more than glory abounds, 
Therefore, thy humiliation shall exalt, 
With thee thy manhood, also to this throne. 
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shalt reign, 
Both God and Man , Son both of God and Man, 3> r 

Anointed universal King. (' All powe. 
I give thee ; reign for ever, and assume 
Thy merits : under thee, as head supreme, 



74 PARADISE LOST. 

Thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions, I reduce : 

All knees to thee shall bow, of them that bide 32O 

In Heaven or Earth, or under Earth in Hell. 

When thou, attended gloriously, from Heaven, 

Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send 

The summoning Arch-angels to proclaim 

Thy dread tribunal ; forthwith, from all winds, 325 

The living, and forthwith, the cited dead, 

Of all past ages, to the general doom 

Shall hasten ; such a peal shall rouse their sleep. 

Then all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge 

Bad men and Angels ; they arraign'd shall sink 330 

Beneath thy sentence ; Hell, her numbers full, 

Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Meanwhile 

The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring 

New heaven and earth ; wherein the just shall dwell, 

And,, after all their tribulations long, 335 

See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, 

With joy and love triumphing, and fair truth. N 

Then thou thy regal sceptre shalt lay by, 

For regal sceptre then no more shall need, 

God shall be all in all. fBut all ye Gods, 340 

Adore him, who to compass all this dies ; 

Adore the Son, and honor him as me." ) 

No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but all 
The multitude of Angels, with a shout, 
Loud, as from numbers without number, sweet, 345 

As from bless'd voices, uttering joy ; Heaven rung 
With jubilee, and loud hosannas fill'd 
The eternal regions : lowly reverent, 
Towards either throne they bow, and to the ground, 
With solemn adoration, down they cast 350 

.Their crowns, inwove with amaranth and gold 
Immortal amaranth, a flower, which once 
In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 
Began to bloom ; but soon, for man's offence, 
To Heaven removed, where first it grew ; there grows, 355 
And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life, 
And where the river of bliss, through midst of Heaven, 
Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream ; 
With these, that never fade, the Spirits elect 
Bind their resplendent locks, inwreathed with beams. 360 
Now in loose garlands, thick thrown off, the bright 
Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 
Impurpled with celestial roses, smiled. 
Then, crown 'd again, their golden harps they took, 
Harps ever tuned, that, glittering by their side, 365 



PARADISE LOST. 



75 



Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet 

Of charming symphony, they introduce 

Their sacred song, and waken raptures high : 

No voice exempt, no voice but well could join 

Melodious part; such concord is in Heaven. 370 

" Thee, Father," first they sung, " omnipotent ! 
Immutable, immortal, infinite, 
Eternal King ! Thee, Author of all being, 
Fountain of light, thyserf invisible, 

Amidst the glorious brightness, where thou sit'st 375 

Throned inaccessible ; but when thou shadest 
The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud 
Drawn round about thee, like a radiant shrine. 
Dark with excessive bright, thy skirts appear ; 
Yet dazzle Heaven, that brightest Seraphim 380 

Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes." 
" Thee," next they sang, " of all creation first, 
Begotten Son, divine similitude ; 
In whose conspicuous countenance, without cloud 
Made visible, the Almighty Father shines, 385 

Whom else no creature can behold : on thee 
Impress'd, the effulgence of his glory abides ; 
Transfused on thee, his ample Spirit rests. 
He Heaven of Heavens, and all the powers therein, 
By thee created, and by thee, threw down 390 

The aspiring dominations : thou, that day, 
Thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare, 
Nor stop thy flaming chariot-wheels, that shook 
Heaven's everlasting frame ; while o'er the necks 
Thou drovest s£ warring Angels disarray 'd. 395 

Back from pursuit, thy powers, with loud acclaim, 
Thee only extoll'd, Son of thy Father's might, 
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes : 
Not so on man : him, through their malice fall'n , 
Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom -100 

So strictly, but much more to pity incline. 
No sooner did thy dear and only Son 
Perceive thee purposed, not to doom frail man 
So strictly, but much more to pity inclined, 
He, to appease thy wrath, and end the strife 405 

Of mercy and justice, in thy face discern'd, 
Regardless of the bliss,' wherein he sat, 
Second to thee, offer'd himself to die 
For man's offence. O unexampled love, 
Love no where to be found, less than divine, 410 

Hail, Son of God ! Saviour of men! Thy name 
Shall be the copious matter of my song, 



76 PARADISE LOST. 

Henceforth, and never shall my harp thy praise 
Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin." 

Thus they in Heaven, above the starry sphere 415 

Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. 
Meanwhile, upon the firm opacous globe 
Of this round world, whose first convex divides 
The luminous inferior orbs, enclosed 
From Chaos, and the inroad of darkness old, 420 

Satan alighted walks. A globe far off 
It seem'd, now seems a boundless continent, 
Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night, 
Starless exposed, and ever-threatening storms 
Of Chaos blustering round, inclement sky ; 425 

Save on that side, which from the wall of Heaven, 
Though distant far, some small reflection gains 
Of glimmering air, less vex'd with tempest loud : 
Here walk'd the fiend at large in spacious field. 
As when a vulture, on Imaus bred. 430 

Whose snowy ridge the roving Tartar bounds, 
Dislodging from a region scarce of prey, 
To gorge the flesh of lambs, or yeanling kids, 
On hills, where flocks are fed, flies toward the springs 
Of Ganges, or Hydaspes, Indian streams : . 435 

But in his way, lights on the barren plains 
Of Sericana, where Chineses drive, 
With sails and wind, their cany wagons light : 
So, on this windy sea cf land, the fiend 
Walk'd up and down, alone, bent on his prey : 440 

Alone, for other creature in this place, 
Living or lifeless, to be found was none ; 
None yet, but store hereafter, from the earth, 
Up hither, like aerial vapours, flew, 

Of all things transitory and vain, when sin 445 

With vanity had fill'd the works of men : 
Both all things vain, and all who on vain things 
Built their fond hopes of glory, or lasting fame, 
Or happiness in this, or the other life : 
All, who have their reward on earth, the fruits 450 

Of painful superstition, and blind zeal, 
Nought seeking but the praise of men, here find 
Fit retribution, empty as their deeds : 
All the unaccomplished works of Nature's hand, 
Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd, 455 

Dissolved on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 
Till final dissolution, wander here ; 

Not in the neighbouring moon, as some have dream'd; 
Those argent fields, more likely habitants, 



PARADISE LOST. 77 

Translated saints, or middle spirits hold, 460 

Betwixt the angelical and human kind. 

Hither, of ill-join'd sons and daughters born, 

First, from the ancient world, those giants came, 

With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd : 

The builders next of Babel, on the plain 465 

Of Sennaar; and still with vain design, 

New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build. 

Others came single ; he who, to be deem'd 

A god, leap'd fondly into iEtna flames, 

Empedocles; and he who, to enjoy 470 

Plato's Elysium, leap'd into the sea, 

Cleombrotus; and many more too long, 

Embryos, and idiots, eremites, and friars, 

White, black, and gray, with all their trumpery. 

Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek, 475 

In Golgotha, him dead, who lives in Heaven ; 

And they who, to be sure of Paradise, 

Dying, put on the weeds of Dominic, 

Or, in Franciscan think to pass disguised 

They passed the planets seven, and pass the fix'd, 480 

And that crystalline sphere, whose balance weighs 

The trepidation talk'd, and that first moved : 

And now Saint Peter, at Heaven's wicket, seems 

To wait them with his keys ; and now at foot 

Of Heaven's ascent, they lift their feet, when lo, 435 

A violent cross wind, from either coast, 

Blows them transverse, ten thousand leagues awry, 

Into the devious air : then might ye see 

Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, toss'd 

And flutter'd into rags ; then reliques, beads, 49Q 

Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls, 

The sport of winds : all these, upwhirl'd aloft, 

Fly o'er the back side of the world, far oflf, 

Into a limbo, large and broad, since call'd 

The Paradise of Fools, to few unknown 495 

Long after, now unpeopled, and untrod 

All this dark globe the Fiend found as he passed ; 

And long he wander'd, till at last, a gleam 

Of dawning light turn'd thither- ward in haste 

His travell'd steps : far distant he descries, 500 

Ascending by degrees magnificent 

Up to the wall of Heaven, a structure high : 

At top whereof, but far more rich, appear'd 

The work, as of a kingly palace-gate, 

With frontispiece of diamond and gold 505 

Embellish'd ; thick with sparkling orient gems 



V8 PARADISE LOST. 

The portal shone, inimitable on earth, 

By model, or by shading pencil drawn. 

Thp stairs were such, as whereon Jacob saw 

Angels ascending and descending, bands 57 Q 

Of guardians bright ; when he from Esau fled 

To Padan-Aram, in the field of Luz 

Dreaming by night, under the open sky, 

And waking cried, ' This is the gate of Heaven*!' 

Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood 515 

There always, but drawn up to Heaven, sometimes 

Viewless ; and underneath, a bright sea flow'd 

Of jasper, or of liquid pearl ; whereon, 

Who after came from earth, sailing arrived 

Wafted by Angels, or flew o'er the lake, 520 

Rapt in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. 

The stairs were then let down, whether to dare 

The fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate 

His sad exclusion from the doors of bliss : 

Direct against which, open'd from beneath, 525 

Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise, 

A passage down to the earth, a passage wide ; 

Wider by far than that of after-times, 

Over mount Sion, and, though that were large, 

Over the Promised Land, to God so dear : 530 

By which, to visit oft those happy tribes, 

On high behests, his Angels to and fro 

Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard 

From Paneas, the fount of Jordan's flood, 

To Beersaba, where the Holy Land 535 

Borders on Egypt, and the Arabian shore ; 

So wide the opening seem'd, where bounds were set 

To darkness, such as bound the ocean-wave. 

Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, 

That scaled by steps of gold to Heaven-gate, 540 

Looks down with wonder, at the sudden view 

Of all this world at onoe. As when a scout , 

Through dark and desert ways, with peril gone 

All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn, 

Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill, 545 

Which to his eye discovers unaware, 

The goodly prospect of some foreign land 

First seen ; or some renown'd metropolis. 

With glistering spires, and pinnacles adorn'd 

Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams. 550 

Such wonder seized, though after Heaven seen. 

The spirit malign ; but much more envy seizjp 

At sight of all this world beheld so fair. 



PARADISE LOST. 79 

Round he surveys ; and well might, where he stood 

So high, above the circling canopy 555 

Of night's extended shade ; from eastern point 

Of Libra, to the fleecy star, that bears 

Andromeda far off Atlantic seas, 

Beyond the horizon. Then from pole to pole, 

He views in breadth ; and, without longer pause 56O 

Down right into the world's first region, throws 

His flight precipitant ; and winds with ease, 

Through the pure marble air, his oblique way, 

Amongst innumerable stars, that shone 

Stars distant, but nigh hand, seem'd other worlds 565 

Or other worlds they seem'd, or happy isles, 

Like those Hesperian gardens, famed of old, 

Fortunate fields, and groves, and flowery vales, 

Thrice happy isles : but who dwelt happy there, 

He staid not to inquire : above them all 570 

The golden sun, in splendor likest Heaven, 

Allured his eye : thither his course he bends, 

Through the calm firmament ; but up or down, 

By centre or eccentric, hard to tell, 

Or longitude ; where the great luminary, 575 

Aloof the vulgar constellations thick, 

That from his lordly eye keep distance due, 

Dispenses light from far : they, as they move 

Their starry dance in numbers that compute 

Days, months, and years, towards his all-cheering lamp 

Turn sw^ift their various motions, or are turn'd 581 

By his magnetic beam, that gently warms 

The universe, and to each inward part, 

With gentle penetration, though unseen, 

Shoots invisible virtue, even to the deep : 585 

So wondrously was set his station bright. 

There lands the fiend, a spot like which, perhaps, 

Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb, 

Through his glazed optic tube, yet never saw. 

The place he found beyond expression bright, 590 

Compared with aught on earth, metal or stone ; 

Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd, 

With radiant light , as glowing iron with fire ; 

If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear ; 

If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite, 595 

Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone 

In Aaron's breast-plate, and a stone besides, 

Imagined rather oft, than elsewhere seen ; 

That stone, or like to that, which here below 

Philosophers in vain so long have sought; 600 



80 PARADISE LOST. 

In vain, though, by their powerful art, they bind 

Volatile Hermes, and call up unbound, 

In various shapes, old Proteus from the sea, 

Drain'd through a limbec to his native form. 

What wonder then, if fields and regions here 605 

Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run 

Potable gold, when, with one virtuous touch, 

The arch-chemic sun, so far from us remote, 

Produces, with terrestrial humour mix'd, 

Here in the dark, so many precious things, 610 

Of colour glorious, and effect so rare? 

Here, matter new to gaze the Devil met, 

Undazzled : far and wide his eye commands ; 

For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 

But all sunshine : as when his beams at noon 615 

Culminate from the equator ; as they now 

Shot upward, still direct, whence no way round, 

Shadow from body opaque can fall ; and the air 

No where so clear, sharpen'd his visual ray, 

To objects distant far ; whereby he soon 620 

Saw within ken, a glorious angel stand, 

The same, whom John saw also in the sun. 

His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid : 

Of beaming sunny rays, a golden tiar 

Circled his head ; nor less his locks behind, 625 

Illustrious on his shoulders, fledge with wings, 

Lay waving round : on some great charge employ'd 

He seem'd, or fix'd in cogitation deep. 

Glad was the Spirit impure ; as now in hope 

To find, who might direct his wandering flight 630 

To Paradise, the happy seat of man, 

His journey's end, and our beginning woe. 

But first he casts to change his proper shape, 

Which else might work him danger or delay : 

And now, a stripling-cherub he appears, 635 

Not of the prime, yet such, as in his face 

Youth smiled celestial, and, to every limb. 

Suitable grace diffused ; so well he feign'd. 

Under a coronet, his flowing hair, 

In curls on either cheek, play'd ; wings he wore, 640 

Of many a colour'd plume, sprinkled with gold ; 

His habit fit for speed succinct, and held 

Before his decent steps, a silver wand. 

He drew not nigh unheard ; the angel bright, 

Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, 645 

Admonish'd by his ear ; and straight was known 

The arch-angel Uriel, one of the seven 



PARADISE LOST. 



81 



Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, 

Stand ready at command ; and are his eyes, 

That run through all the Heavens, or, down to the Earth 

Bear his swift errands, over moist and dry, 

O'er sea and land : him Satan thus accosts. 

" Uriel, for thou, of those seven Spirits, that stand 
n sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, 
The first art wont his great authentic will, 655 

Interpreter through highest Heaven, to bring, 
Where all his sons thy embassy attend ; 
And here art likeliest, by supreme decree, 
Like honour to obtain, and, as his eye, 
To visit oft this new creation round. 660 

Unspeakable desire to see, and know, 
All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man, 
His chief delight and favour, him, for whom 
All these his works so wondrous he ordain'd, 
Hath brought me from the quires of cherubim, 665 

Alone, thus wandering. Brightest seraph, tell, 
In which of all these shining orbs hath man 
His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none, 
But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell ; 
That I may find him, and with secret gaze, 670 

Or open admiration, him behold, 
On whom the great Creator hath bestow 'd 
Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces pour'd : 
That both in him, and all things, as is meet, 
The universal Maker we may praise ; 675 

Who justly hath driven out his rebel foes, 
To deepest Hell ; and, to repair that loss, 
Created this new happy race of men, 
To serve him better : wise are all his ways I" 

So spake the false dissembler unperceived ; 680 

For neither man nor angel can discern 
Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks 
Invisible, except to God alone, 
By his permissive will, through heaven and earth : 
And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps 685 

At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity 
Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill, 
Where no ill seems : which now, for once, beguiled, 
Uriel, though regent of the sun, and held 
The sharpest-sighted spirit of all in heaven ; 690 

Who, to the fraudulent impostor foul, 
In his uprightness, answer thus return'd : 

" Fair angel ! thy desire, which tends to know 
The works of God, thereby to glorify 





82 PARADISE LOST. 

The great Work-Master, leads to no excess, 695 

That reaches blame, but rather merits praise, 

The more it seems excess, that led thee hither, 

From thy empyreal mansion, thus alone ; 

To witness with thine eyes, what some perhaps 

Contented with report, hear only in heaven : 700 

For wonderful indeed are all his works, 

Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 

Had in remembrance, always with delight. 

•But what created mind can comprehend 

Their number, or the wisdom infinite 705 

That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep ? 

I saw, when at his word, the formless mass, 

This world's material mold, came to a heap. 

Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 

Stood ruled ; stood vast infinitude confined : 710 

Till, at his second bidding, darkness fled, 

Light shone, and order from disorder sprung. 

Swift, to their several quarters, hasted then 

The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire ; 

And this etherial quintessence of heaven 715 

Flew upward, spirited with various forms, 

That roli'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars 

Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move ; 

Each had his place appointed, each his course : 

The rest in circuit walls this universe. 720 

Look downward on that globe, whose hither side, 

With light from hence, though but reflected, shines ; 

That place is earth, the seat of man ; that light 

His day ; which else, as the other hemisphere, 

Night would invade : but there the neighbouring moon,725 

So call that opposite fair star her aid 

Timely interposes ; and her monthly round 

Still ending, still renewing through mid Heaven, 

With borrow'd light, her countenance triform, 

Hence fills and empties, to enlighten the earth ; 730 

And, in her pale dominion, checks the night. 

That spot, to which I point, is Paradise, 

Adam's abode ; those lofty shades, his bower. 

Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires." 

Thus said, he turn'd; and Satan, bowing low, 735 

As to superior spirits is wont in Heaven, 
Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 
Took leave ; and, toward the coast of earth beneath, 
Down from the ecliptic, sped with hoped success, 
Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel, 740 

Nor staid, till on Niphates top he lights. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK IV. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Satan, now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must 
now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone, against 
God and man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many 
passions, fear, envy, and despair : but at length confirms himself 
in evil; journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and situ- 
ation are described; overleaps the bounds; sits in the shape of a 
cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden, to look 
about him. The garden described: Satan's first sight of Adam 
and Eve •, his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but 
with resolution to work their fall ; overhears their discourse, 
thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them 
to eat of, under penalty of death ; and thereon intends to found 
his temptation by seducing them to transgress : then leaves them a 
while to know further of their state by some other means. Mean- 
while Uriel, descending on a sunbeam, warns Gabriel, who had in 
charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escaped 
the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere in the shape of a good 
angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures on 
the mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night 
coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to their rest ; their 
bower described; their evening- worship. Gabriel, drawing forth his 
bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two 
strong angels to Adam's bower, lest the evil spirit should be there 
doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping, there they find him at 
the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though 
unwilling, to Gabriel : by whom questioned, he scornfully answers ; 
prepares resistance : but, hindered by a sign from heaven, flies out 
of Paradise. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK IV. 

O for that warning voice, which he, who saw 
The Apocalypse, heard cry in heaven aloud ; 
Then when the Dragon, put to second rout, 
Came furious down, to be revenged on men, 
' Woe to the inhabitants on earth !' that now, 5 

While time was, our first parents had been warn'd 
The coming of their secret foe, and 'scaped — 
Haply so 'scaped his mortal snare. For now 
Satan, now first inflamed with rage, came down, 
The tempter ere the accuser of mankind, 10 

To wreak on innocent frail man, his loss 
Of that first battle, and his flight to hell : 
Yet, not rejoicing in his speed, though bold, 
Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, 
Begins his dire attempt ; which, nigh the birth, 15 

Now rolling, boils in his tumultuous breast, 
And, like a devilish engine, back recoils 
Upon himself. Horror and doubt distract 
His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom, stir 
The hell within him ; for within him hell 20 

He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell 
One step, no more than from himself, can fly 
By change of place. Now conscience wakes despair, 
That slumber 'd, wakes the bitter memory 
Of what he was, what is, and what must be, 25 

Worse ; of worse deeds, worse sufferings must ensue. 
Sometimes towards Eden, which now in his view 
Lay pleasant, his grieved look he fixes sad ; 
Sometimes towards Heaven, and the full-blazing sun, 
Which now sat high in his meridian tower : 
Then, much revolving, thus in sighs began. 80 

" O thou ! that, with surpassing glory CDwn'd 
Look'st from thy sole dominion, like the God 
Of this new world ; at whose sight all the stars 
Hide their diminish'd heads ; to thee I call, 
But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, $& 



8b PARADISE LOST. 

sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, 
That bring to my remembrance, from what state 

1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere ; 
Till pride and, worse, ambition, threw me down, 
Warring in Heaven, against Heaven's matchless King : 40 
Ah wherefore ! he deserved no such return 

From me, whom he created what I was, 
In that bright eminence, and with his good 
Upbraided none ; nor was his service hard. 
What could be less than to afford him praise, 45 

The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks ? 
How due ! yet all his good proved ill in me, 
And wrought but malice : lifted up so high 
1 'sdain'd subjection, and though one step higher 
Would set me highest, and, in a moment, quit 50 

The debt immense of endless gratitude, 
So burdensome, still paying, still to owe ; 
Forgetful what from him I still received ; 
And understood not, thatfa grateful mind 
By owing owes not, but still pays, at once 55 

Indebted and discharged :^what burden then? 
O had his powerful destiny ordain'd 
Me some inferior angel, I had stood 
Then happy ; no unbounded hope had raised 
Ambition. Yet why not ? some other power 60 

As great might have aspir'd, & me, though mean 
Drawn to his part : but other powers as great 
Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within, 
Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 
Hadst thou the same free will & power to stand ? 65 

Thouhadst : whom hast thou then, or what to accuse. 
But heaven's free love, dealt equally to all ? 
Be then his love accursed, since love or hate, 
To me alike, it deals eternal woe. 

Nay, cursed be thou ; since, against his, thy will ?® 

Chose freely, what it now so justly rues. 
Me miserable ! which way shall I fly 
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? 
( Which way I fly is hell ; myself am hell : 
And in the lowest deep, a lower deep, '*> 

Still threatening to devour me, opens wide ; ) 
To which the hell I suffer seems a heaven, 
O then at last relent : is there no place 
Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? 
None left but by submission ; and that word 
Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame, 
\mong the spirits beneath, whom I seduced, 



PARADISE LOST. 



87 



With other promises, and other vaunts, 
Than to submit ; boasting, I could subdue 
The Omnipotent. ( Ah me, they little know, 35 

How dearly I abide that boast so vain, 
Under what torments inwardly I groan, 
While they adore me on the throne of Hell: 
With diadem and sceptre high advanced, 
The lower still I fall, (only supreme 90 

In misery ; such joy ambition finds ! ") 
But say, I could repent, and could obtain, 
By act of grace, my former state ; how soon 
Would highth recall high thoughts, how soon unsa) 
What feign'd submission swore? Ease would recant 95 

Vows made in pain, as violent and void 
( For, never can true reconcilement grow, 
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep ) 
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse, 
And heavier fall : so should I purchase dear 100 

Short intermission, bought with double smart. 
This knows my punisher, therefore, as far 
From granting he, as I from begging peace : 
All hope excluded thus, beheld, in stead 
Of us out-cast, exiled, his new delight, 105 

Mankind created ; and for him this world. 
So farewell hope, and with hope, farewell fear, 
Farewell remorse : all good to me is lost : 
Evil, be thou my good ; by thee, at least, 
Divided empire with Heaven's King I hold ; 110 

By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign ; 
As man ere long, and this new world, shall know." 

Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'dhis face, 
Thrice changed with pale ire, envy, and despair ; 
Which marr'd his borrow'd visage, and betray 'd 115 

Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld : 
For heavenly minds from such distempers foul, 
Are ever clear. Whereof, he soon aware, 
Each perturbation smooth'd, with outward calm, 
Artificer of fraud ; and was the first 1 20 

That practised falsehood, under saintly show, 
Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge : 
Yet, not enough had practised to deceive 
Uriel, once warn'd ; whose eye pursued him down 
The way he went, and on the Assyrian mount 125 

Saw him disfigured, more than could befall 
Spirit of happy sort : his gestures fierce 
He mark'd and mad demeanour, then alone 
As he supposed, all unobserved, unseen. 



88 PARADISE LOST. 

So on he fares, and to the border comes 330 

Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, 
Now nearer, crowns with her inclosure green, 
As with a rural mound, the champaign head 
Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides, 
With thicket overgrown, grotesque and wild, 135 

Access denied; and over-head, up grew 
Insuperable highth of loftiest shade, 
Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, 
A sylvan scene ; and, as the ranks ascend 
Shade above shade, a woody theatre 140 

Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops, 
The verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung ; 
Which, to our general sire, gave prospect large. 
Into his nether empire, neighbouring round : 
And, higher than that wall, a circling row 145 

Of goodliest trees, loaden with fairest fruit, 
Blossoms and fruits at once, of golden hue, 
Appear'd, with gay enamell'd colours mix'd : 
On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams, 
Than on fair evening cloud, or humid bow, ISO 

When God hath shower 'd the earth; so lovely seem'd 
That landscape : and of pure, now purer air, 
Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 
Vernal delight and joy, able to drive 
All sadness but despair. Now gentle gales, 155 

Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense 
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 
. Those balmy spoils.. As when to them, who sail 
Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past 
Mozambic, off at sea, north-east winds blow 160 

Sabean odours, from the spicy shore 
Of Araby the bless'd ; with such delay 
Well pleased, they slack their course, and many a league, 
Cheer'd with the grateful smell, old Ocean smiles.) 
So entertain'd those odorous sweets the fiend, 165 

Who came their bane; though with them better pleased 
Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume, 
That drove him, tho' enamour'd, from the spouse 
Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent 
From Media, post to Egypt, there fast bound. 170 

Now, to the ascent of that steep savage hill, 
Satan had journey'd on, pensive and slow; 
But further way found none; so thick entwined, 
As one continued brake, the undergrowth 
Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd 175 

All path of man or beast, that pass'd that way 



TARADISE LOST. 89 

One gate there only was, and that look'd east, 
On the other side : which when the arch-felon saw, 
Due entrance he disdain'd ; and in contempt, 
At one slight bound, high over-leap'd all bound, IgQ 

Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within ; 
Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, 
Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, 
Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve, 
In hurdled cots, amid the field secure, 135 

Leaps o'er the fence, with ease into the fold : 
Or, as a thief, bent to unhoard the cash 
Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, 
Cross- barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 
In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles . 190 

( So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold ; 
So since into his church, lewd hirelings climb. 
Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, 
The middle tree, and highest there that grew, 
Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life 195 

Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death, 
To them who lived ; nor, on the virtue thought 
Of that life-giving plant, but only used 
For prospect, what well used, had been the pledge 

I Of immortality!) So little knows 200 

I Any, but God alone, to value right 

I The good before him, but perverts best things 

« To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. 
Beneath him, with new wonder, now he views, 
To all delight of human sense exposed, 205 

In narrow room, nature's whole wealth ; yea more, 
A Heaven on Earth : for blissful Paradise, 
Of God the garden, was by him, in the east 
Of Eden planted. Eden stretch'd her line, 
From Auran eastward, to the royal towers 210 

Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings ; 
Or where the sons of Eden, long before 
Dwelt in Telassar. In this pleasant soil, 
His far more pleasant garden, God ordain'd 
Out of the fertile ground, he caused to grow 215 

All trees of noblest kind, for sight, smell, taste ; 
And all amid them stood the tree of life, 
High, eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit 
Of vegetable gold ; and next to life, 
Our death, the tree of knowledge grew fast by ; 220 

Knowledge of good, bought dear, by knowing ill. 
Southward through Eden went a river large, 
Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill 



90 PARADISE LOST. 

Pass'd underneath ingulf d ; for God had thrown 
That mountain, as his garden-mound, high raised 225 

Upon the rapid current ; which, through veins 
Of porous earth, with kindly thirst up-drawn, 
Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 
Water'd the garden: thence, united, fell 
Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood ; 230 

Which, from his darksome passage now appears, 
f And now, divided into four main streams, 
Runs diverse, wandering many a famous realm, 
And country, whereof here needs no account ; 
But rather to tell how, if art could tell, 235 

How, from that sapphire fount, the crisped brooks, 
Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 
With mazy error, under pendent shades, 
Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 
Flowers, worthy of Paradise ;| which not nice art, 240 

In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 
Pour'd forth profuse, on hill, and dale, and plain ; 
Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 
The open field, and where the unpierced shade 
Imbrown'd the noontide bowers. Thus was this place 245 

A happy rural seat of various view ; 

Groves, whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm } 
Others, whose fruit, burnish'd with golden rind, 
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true, 
If true, here only, and of delicious taste: 250 

Betwixt them, lawns, or level downs, and flocks 
Grazing the tender herb, were interposed, 
Or palmy hillock, or the flowery lap 
Of some irriguous valley spread her store ; 
Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. 255 

Another side, umbrageous grots and caves, 
Of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine 
Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps 
Luxuriant : meanwhile, murmuring waters fall 
Down the slope hills, dispersed, or in a lake, 260 

That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd, 
Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. 
(The birds their quire apply ; airs, vernal airs, 
Breathing the sn ell of field and grove, attune 
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, 265 

Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 
Led, on the eternal Spring.") (Not that fair field 
Of Enna, where Proserpine gathering flowers, 
Herself a fairer flower, by gloomy Dis 
Was gather'd, which cost Ceres all that pain 2 ?° 



PARADISE LOST. 91 

To.seek her through the world ; nor that sweet grove 
Of Daphne, by Orontes, and the inspired 
Castalian spring, might with this Paradise 
Of Eden strive ; nor that Nyseian isle, 
Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham, 275 

Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Libyan Jove, 
Hid Amalthea, and her florid son *jL 

Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye : 
Nor, where Abassin kings their issue guard, 
Mount Amara, though this by some supposed 280 

True Paradise, under the Ethiop line,. 
By Nilus' head, inclosed with shining rock, 
A whole day's journey high, but wide remote 
From this Assyrian garden,^ where the fiend 
Saw, undelighted, all delight, all kind 285 

Of living creatures, new to sight and strange. 
| Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall, 
Godlike erect, with native honour clad 
In naked majesty, seem'd lords of all; 
And worthy seem'd : for in their looks divine, 290 

The image of their glorious Maker shone, 
Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, 
Severe, but in true filial freedom placed ; 
Whence true authority in men : though both 
Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd : 295 

For contemplation he, and valour form'd, 
For softness she, and sweet attractive grace ; 
He for God only, she for God in him. 
His fair large front, and eye sublime, declared 
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks, 300 

Round from his parted forelock, manly hung, 
Clustering, but not beneath his shoulders broad : 
She, as a veil, down to the slender waist, 
Her unadorned golden tresses wore, 
Dishevell'd, but in wanton ringlets waved 305 

As the vine curls her tendrils ; which imply'd 
Subjection, but required with gentle sway, 
And by her yielded, by him best received, 
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, 
And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. 310 

Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd : 
Then was not guilty shame. Dishonest shame 
Of nature's works, honour dishonourable, 
Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind 
With shews instead, mere shows of seeming pure, 315 

And banish'd from man's life, his happiest life, 
Simplicity, and spotless innocence. ^ 



92 



PARADISE LOST. 



So pass'd they naked on, nor shunn'd the sight 

Of God or angel, for they thought no ill: 

So hand in hand they pass'd, the loveliest pair, ^20 

That ever since in love's embraces met ; 

Adam, the goodliest man of men since born 

His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. 

Under a tuft of shade, that on a green 

Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain side, 325 

They sat them down ; and after no more toil, 

Of their sweet gardening labour, than sufficed 

To recommend cool zephyr, and made ease 

More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite 

More grateful, to their supper-fruits they fell ; 330 

Nectarine fruits, which the compliant boughs 

Yielded them, side-long as they sat, recline 

On the soft downy bank, damask'd with flowers. 

The savory pulp they chew, and in the rind, 

Still as they thirsted, scoop the brimming stream : 335 

Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles 

Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems 

Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, 

Alone as they. About them, frisking play'd, 

All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase, 340 

In wood or wilderness, forest or den : 

Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw 

Dandled the kid ; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, 

Gamboll'd before them ; the unwieldy elephant, 

To make them mirth, used allhismight,& wreathed 345 

His lithe proboscis ; close the serpent sly, 

Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine 

His braided train, and of his fatal guile 

Gave proof unheeded : others on the grass 

Couch'd, and now, fill'd with pasture, gazing sat, 350 

Or bed-ward ruminating : for the sun 

Declined was hasting now, with prone career, 

To the ocean isles ; and, in the ascending scale 

Of Heaven, the stars that usher evening rose : 

When Satan, still in gaze, as first he stood, 355 

Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad. 

li O Hell ! what do mine eyes with grief behold ? 
Into our room of bliss, thus high advanced, 
Creatures of other mold, earth-born perhaps, 
Not spirits, yet to heavenly spirits bright 360 

Little inferior : whom my thoughts pursue 
With wonder, and could love, so lively shines 
In them divine resemblance, and such grace 
The hand that form'd them on tfieir shape hath pour'd. 



PARADISE LOST. 



93 



Ah, gentle pair! ye little think how nigh 365 

Your change approaches, when all these delights 

Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe ; 

More woe, the more your taste is now of joy. 

Happy, but for so happy ill secured, 

Long to continue ; and this high seat, your heaven, 370 

111 fenced for heaven, to keep out such a foe 

As now is enter'd : yet no purposed foe 

To you, whom I could pity, thus forlorn, 

Though I unpitied : league with you I seek, 

And mutual amity, so strait, so close, 375 

That I with you must dwell, or you with me 

Henceforth: my dwelling haply may not please, 

Like this fair Paradise, your sense; yet such 

Accept your Maker's work : he gave it me, 

Which I as freely give. Hell shall unfold, 380 

To entertain you two, her widest gates, 

And send forth all her kings ; there will be room, 

Not like these narrow limits, to receive 

Your numerous offspring : if no better place, 

Thank him who puts me, loth to this revenge 385 

On you, who wrong me not, for him who wrong'd. 

And should I, at your harmless innocence 

Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, 

Honour and empire, with revenge, enlarged, 

By conquering this new world, compel me now 390 

To do, what else, though damn'd, I should abhor." 

So spake the fiend ; and with necessity, 
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds. 
Then, from his lofty stand on that high tree, 
Down he alights, among the sportful herd 395 

Of those four-footed kinds; himself now one, 
Now other, as their shape served best his end 
Nearer to view his prey ; and unespy.'d, 
To mark, what of their state he more might learn, 
By word or action mark'd. About them round 400 

A lion now he stalks, with fiery glare; 
Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spy'd, 
In some purlieu, two gentle fawns at play, 
Straight couches close, then rising, changes oft 
His couchant watch ; as one who chose his ground, 405 

Whence rushing, he might surest seize them both, 
Griped in each paw: when Adam, first of men, 
To first of women Eve, thus moving speech, 
Turn'd him, all ear, to hear new utterance flow. 

" Sole partner, and sole part, of all these joys 410 

Dearer thyself than all; needs must the Power 



94 PARADISE LOST. 

That made us, and for us this ample world, 

Be infinitely good, and of his good 

As liberal and free as infinite : 

That raised us from the dust, and placed us here, 415 

In all this happiness ; who at his hand 

Have nothing merited, nor can perform 

Aught, whereof he hath need :(He, who requires 

From us no other service, than to keep 

This one, this easy charge, of all the trees 420 

In Paradise, that bear delicious fruit, 

So various, not to taste that only tree 

Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life. 

So near grows death to life, whate'er death is ;) 

Some dreadful thing no doubt ; for well thou know'st, 425 

God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree ; 

The only sign of our obedience left, 

Among so many signs of power and rule 

Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given, 

Over all other creatures, that possess 430 

Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard 

One easy prohibition, who enjoy 

Free leave so large, to all things else, and choice 

Unlimited, of manifold delights : 

But let us ever praise him, and extol 435 

His bounty, following our delightful task, 

,To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers, 

Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.'" ) 

{ To whom thus Eve replied . " O thou , for whom , 

And from whom I was form'd, flesh of thy flesh, 440 

And without whom, am to no end, my guide 

And head, what thou hast said is just and right. 

For we to Him indeed all praises owe, 

And daily thanks ; I chiefly, who enjoy 

So far the happier lot, enjoying thee, 445 

Pre-eminent by so much odds ; while thou 

Like consort to thyself, canst no where find. 

That day I oft remember, when from sleep 

I first awaked, and found myself reposed, 

Under a shade on flowers, much wondering, where 450 

And what I was, whence thither brought, and how. 

Not distant far from thence, a murmuning sound 

Of waters issued from a cave, and spread 

Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved, 

Pure as the expanse of Heaven : I thither went, 455 

With unexperienced thought, and laid me down 

On the green bank, to look into the clear 

Smooth lake that to me seem'd another sky. 



PARADISE LOST. $5 

As I bent down to look, just opposite, 

A shape within the watery gleam appear'd, 460 

Bending to look on me : I started back, 

It started back ; but pleased, I soon return'd, 

Pleased it return'd as soon, with answering looks 

Of sympathy and love. There I had fix'd 

Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, 465 

Had not a voice thus warn'd me ; ' What thou seest, 

What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself ; 

With thee it came and goes : but follow me, 

And I will bring thee, where no shadow stays 

Thy coming, and thy soft embraces ; he 470 

Whose image thou art, him thou shalt enjoy, 

Inseparably thine; to him shalt bear 

Multitudes, like thyself, and thence be call'd 
Mother of human race.' — What could I do, 

But follow straight, invisibly thus led ? 475 

Till I espied thee, fair indeed, and tall, 

Under a platane ; yet methought less fair, 
Less winning soft, less amiably mild, 

Than that smooth watery image : back I turn'd ; 

Thou following cried'st aloud, ' Return, fair Eve ; 480 

Whom fliest thou? whom thou fliest, of him thou art 

His flesh, his bone ; to give thee being, I lent 

Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, 

Substantial life, to have thee by my side 

Henceforth, an individual solace dear: 485 

Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim 

My other half : with that thy gentle hand 

Seized mine ; I yielded ; and from that time see, 

How beauty is excell'd, by manly grace 

And wisdom, which alone is truly fair." I 490 

So spake our general mother ; and with eyes 
Of conjugal attraction, unreproved, 
And meek surrender, half-embracing, lean'd 
On our first father;! half her swelling breast 
Naked met his, under the flowing gold 495 

Of her loose tresses hid : he, in delight, 
Both of her beauty and submissive charms, 
Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter 
On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds, 
That shed May-flowers ; and press'd her matron lip, 500 

With kisses pure."} Aside the Devil turn'd 
For envy, yet, with jealous leer malign, 
Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plain'd. 

" Sight hateful ! sight tormenting ! thus these two, 
Imparadised in one another's arms, 505 



t)6 PARADISE LOST 

The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill 

Of bliss on bliss ; while I to Hell am thrust, 

Where neither joy, nor love, but fierce desire, 

Among our other torments not the least, 

Still unfulfill'd, with pain of longing, pines. 510 

Yet let me not forget, what I have gain'd 

From their own mouths : all is not theirs, it seems ; 

One fatal tree there stands, of knowledge call'd, 

Forbidden them to taste : Knowledge forbidden? 

Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord 515 

Envy them that ? Can it be sin to know ? 

Can it be death? And do they only stand 

By ignorance ? Is that their happy state, 

The proof of their obedience and their faith ? 

O fair foundation laid, whereon to build 520 

Their ruin. Hence, I will excite their minds, 

With more desire to know, and to reject 

Envious commands, invented with design 

To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt, 

Equal with gods : aspiring to be such, 525 

They taste and die : what likelier can ensue ? 

But first with narrow search, I must walk round 

This garden, and no corner leave unspied ; 

A chance, but chance may lead where I may meet . 

Some wandering spirit of Heaven, by fountain-side, 530 

Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw 

What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may, 

Yet happy pair ; enjoy, till I return, 

Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed." 

So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, 535 

But with sly circumspection ; and began 
Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his roam. 
Meanwhile, in utmost longitude, where heaven 
With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 
Slowly descended, and with right aspect, 540 

Against the eastern gate of Paradise, 
Levell'a his evening rays : it was a rock 
Of alabaster, piled up to the clouds, 
Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent 
Accessible from earth, one entrance high ; 545 

Tr?e rest was craggy cliff, that overhung 
Still as it rose, impossible to climb. 
Betwixt these rocky pillars, Gabriel sat, 
Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night; 
About him, exercised heroic games 550 

The unarm'd youth of heaven ; but nigh at hand, 
Celestial armory, sh'elds, helms, and spears, 



} PARADISE LOST. 9 7 

Hung nigh, with diamond flaming, and with gold. 

( Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even, 
On a sun-beam, swift as a shooting star 555 

In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired 
Impress the air, and shows the mariner, 
From what point of his compass, to beware 
Impetuous winds : ;he thus began in haste. 

" Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given 5&Q 

Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place, 
No evil thing approach or enter in. 
This day, at highth of noon, came to my sphere 
A spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 
More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly man, 565 

God's latest image : I described his way, 
Bent all on speed, and mark'd his airy gait; 
But on the mount, that lies from Eden north, 
Where he first lighted, soon discern'd his looks, 
Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured : 570 

Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade 
Lost sight of him. One of the banish'd crew, 
I fear, hath ventured from the deep, to raise 
New troubles ; him thy care must be to find." 

To whom the winged warrior thus return'd. 575 

" Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, 
Amid the snn's bright circle, where thou sitt'st, 
See far and wide. In at this gate none pass 
The vigilance here placed, but such as come 
Well known from heaven ; and since meridian hoar 580 

No creature thence : if spirit of other sort, 
So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthy bounds 
On purpose ; hard thou know'st it, to exclude 
Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. 
But if within the circuit of these walks, 585 

In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom 
Thou tell'st, by morrow dawning I shall know." * 

So promised he ; and Uriel to his charge 
Return'd, on that bright beam, whose point, now raised 
Bore him slope downward to the sun, now fallen 590 

Beneath the Azores; whether the prime orb, 
Incredible how swift, had thither roll'd 
Diurnal, or this less voluble earth, 
By shorter flight to the east, had left him there, 
Arraying, with reflected purple and gold 595 

The clouds, that on his western throne attend. 

I Now came still evening on, and twilight gray 
Had in her sober livery all things clad ; 
Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, 



98 



PARADISE LOST. 



They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, 600 

Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale ; 

She, all night long, her amorous descant sung ; 

Silence was pleased. Now glow'd the firmament 

With living sapphires : Hesperus, that led 

The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon, 605 

Rising in clouded majesty, at length 

Apparent queen, unveil'd her peerless light, 

And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw.^ 

When Adam thus to Eve. " Fair consort, the hour 
Of night, and all things now retired to rest, 610 

Mind us of like repose ; since God hath set 
Labour and rest, as day and night, to men 
Successive ; and the timely dew of sleep, 
Now falling with soft slumberous weight, inclines 
Our eye-lids : other creatures, all day long, 615 

Rove idle, unemploy'd, and less need rest ; 
I Man hath his daily work of body or mind 
Appointed, which declares his dignity, 
And the regard of Heaven on all his ways ; ) 
While other animals inactive range, 620 

And of their doings God takes no account. 
To-morrow, ere fresh morning streak the east, 
With first approach of light, we must be risen, 
And at our pleasant labour, to reform 
Yon flowery arbours, yonder alleys green, 625 

Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown, 
That mock our scant manuring, and require 
More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth : 
Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums, 
That lie bestrown, unsightly, and unsmooth, 630 

Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease : 
Mean while, as nature wills, night bids us rest." 

To whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorn'd. 
" My author and disposer ! what thou bid'st, 
Unargued, I obey ; so God ordains : 635 

: God is thy law, thou mine : to know no more 
Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise. 
With thee conversing, I forget all time ; 
All seasons, and their change, all please alike. 
Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, 640 

With charm of earliest birds ; pleasant the sun, 
When first, on this delightful land, he spreads 
His orient beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, 
Glistering with dew ; fragrant the fertile earth, 
After soft showers ; and sweet the coming on 645 

Of grateful evening mild ; then silent night, 



PARADISE LOST. 



99 



With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon, 

And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train : 

But neither breath of morn, when she ascends 

With charm of earliest birds ; nor rising sun 650 

On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flower, 

Glistering with dew ; nor fragrance after showers ; 

Nor grateful evening mild ; nor silent night, 

With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon, 

Or glittering star-light, without thee, is sweet. ) 655 

But wherefore all night long shine these? for whom 

This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes ?" 

To whom our general ancestor replied. 

" Daughter of God and man, accomplish'd Eve, 

These have their course to finish, round the earth, 660 

By morrow - evening ; and from land to land, 

In order, though to nations yet unborn, 

Ministering light prepared, they set and rise : 

Lest total darkness should, by night, regain 

Her old possession, and extinguish life 665 

In nature and all things ; which these soft fires, 

Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat, 

Of various influence, foment and warm, 

Temper or nourish; or in part shed down 

Their stellar virtue, on all kinds that grow 670 

On earth, made hereby apter to receive 

r Perfection, from the sun's more potent ray. 

( These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 
Shine not in vain ; nor think, though men were none, 
That Heaven would want spectators, God want praise : 675 
Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth 
Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep: 
All these, with ceaseless praise, his works behold 
Both day and night. How often, from the steep 
Of echoing hill, or thicket, have we heard 680 

Celestial voices, to the midnight air, 
Sole, or responsive each to others note, 
Singing their great Creator? Oft in bands, 
While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk, 
With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds, 685 

In full harmonic number join'd, their songs 
Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to heaven." ) 

Thus talking, hand in hand alone, they pass'd 
On to their blissful bower ; it was a place 
Chosen by the sovereign Planter, when he framed 690 

All things to man's delightful use ; the roof, 
Of thickest covert, was inwoven shade, 
Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew 

h2 



100 



PARADISE LOST. 



Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 

Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub, 595 

Fenced up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flower, 

Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine, 

Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought 

Mosaic; underfoot the violet, 

Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay, 700 

Broider'd the ground, more color'd than with stone 

Of costliest emblem : other creature here, 

Bird, beast, insect, or worm, durst enter none, 

Such was their awe of man. fin shadier bower, 

More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'd, 705 

Pan nor Sylvanus never slept, nor Nymph, 

Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess, 

With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs, 

Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed ; 

And heavenly quires the hymenean sung, 710 

What day, the genial angel to our sire 

Brought her, in naked beauty more adorn'd ; 

More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods 

Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like 

In sad event, when, to the un wiser son 715 

Of Japhet, brought by Hermes, she insnared 

Mankind, with her fair looks, to be avenged 

On him, who had stolen Jove's authentic fire. ) 

Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both stood, 
Both turn'd ; and under open sky adored 720 

The God that made both sky, air, earth, & heaven, 
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, 
And starry pole : " Thou also madest the night, 
Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day; 
Which we, in our appointed work em ploy 'd, 725 

Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help, 
And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss, 
Ordain'd by thee ; and this delicious place, 
For us too large, where thy abundance wants 
Partakers, and uncropp'd falls to the ground. 730 

But thou hast promised from us two a race, 
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol 
Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, 
And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep." 

This said unanimous, and other rites 735 

Observing none, but adoration pure, 
Which God likes best, into their inmost bower 
Handed they went ; and, eased the putting-ofF 
These troublesome disguises which we wear, 
Straight side by side were laid : nor turn'd, I ween, 740 



PARADISE LOST. 



101 



Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites 
Mysterious of connubial love refused : 
Whatever hypocrites austerely talk, 
Of purity, and place, and innocence ; 
Defaming as impure, what God declares 745 

Pure, and commands to some ; leaves free to all. 
Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain, 
But our destroyer, foe to God and man ? 
( Hail wedded love, mysterous law, true source 
Of human offspring, sole propriety * 750 

In Paradise, of all things common else.; 
By thee adulterous lust was driven from men, 
Among the bestial herds to range ; by thee, 
Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 
Relations dear, and all the charities 755 

Of father, son, and brother, first were known. 
( Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, 
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place; 
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets; 
Whose bed is undefiled, and chaste pronounced, 760 

Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used. 
Here, love his golden shaft employs, here, lights 
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, 
Reigns here, and revels ; not in the bought smile 
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, 765 

Casual fruition; nor in court-amours, 
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, 
Or serenate, which the starved lover sings 
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 
These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept, 770 

And on their naked limbs, the flowery roof 
Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, 
Bless'd pair ; and O yet happiest, if ye seek 
No happier state, and know to know no more. ) 

Now had night measured, with her shadowy cone, 775 

Half way up hill, this vast sublunar vault ; 
And, from their ivory port the cherubim 
Forth issuing, at the accustom'd hour, stood arm'd 
To their night-watches, in warlike parade ; 
When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake. 780 

" Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south, 
With strictest watch ; these other wheel the north ; 
Our circuit meets full west." As flame they part, 
Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 
From these, two strong and subtle spirits he call'd, 785 

That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge. 

" Ithuriel aud Zephon, with wing'd speed, 



102 TARADISE LOST. 

Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook; 

But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 

Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. 790 

This evening, from the sun's decline arrived, 

Who tells of some infernal spirit, seen 

Hitherward bent; who could have thought? escaped 

The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt : 

Such where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring." . 795 

So saying, on he led his radiant files, 
Dazzling the moon ; these to the bower direct, 
In search of whom they sought : him there they found, 
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 
Essaying, by his devilish art, to reach 800 

The organs of her fancy ; and with them, forge 
Illusion as he list, phantasms and dreams ; 
Or, if inspiring venom, he might taint 
The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise, 
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure ; thence raise, 805 

At least, distemper'd, discontented thoughts, 
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, 
Blown up with high conceits, ingendering pride. 
Him thus intent, Ithuriel, with his spear, 
Touch'd lightly ; for no falsehood can indure 810 

T<uch of celestial temper, but returns, 
Of force, to its own likeness : up he starts. 
Discover'd and surprised. As when a spark 
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid 
Fit for the tun, some magazine to store, 815 

Against a rumour'd war ; the smutty grain, 
With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air ; 
So started up, in his own shape, the fiend. 
Back stepp'd those two fair angels, half amazed 
So sudden to behold the grisly king; 820 

Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon. 

" Which of those rebel spirits, adjudged to Hell, 
Comest thou, escaped thy prison ? and transform'd, 
Why sat'st thou, like an enemy in wait, 
Here watching, at the head of these that sleep ?" 825 

" Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with scorn, 
Know ye not me ? ye knew me once, no mate 
For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar : 
Not to know me, argues yourselves unknown, 
The lowest of your throng ; or if ye know, 830 

Why ask ye, and superfluous begin 
Your message, like to end as much in vain ?" 

To whom thus Zephon , answering scorn with scorn. 
'■ Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the same, 



PARADISE LOST. 



103 



Or undiminish'd brightness to be known, 835 

As when thou stood'st in Heaven, upright and pure ; 

That glory then, when thou no more wast good, 

Departed from thee ; and thou resemblest now 

Thy sin, and place of doom, obscure and foul. 

But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account 840 

To him who sent us, whose charge is, to keep 

This place inviolable, and these from harm." 

So spake the cherub ; and his grave rebuke, 
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 
Invincible; abash'd the Devil stood, 845 

And felt how awful goodness is, and saw 
Virtue in her shape how lovely ; saw, and pined 
His loss; but chiefly, to find here observed, 
His lustre visibly impair'd; yet seem'd 
Undaunted. "If I must contend, said he, 850 

Best with the best, the sender, not the sent, 
Or all at once ; more glory will be won, 
Or less be lost." — " Thy fear, said Zephon bold, 
Will save us trial, what the least can do 
Single against thee, wicked, and thence weak." 855 

The fiend replied not, overcome with rage ; 
But, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, 
Champing his iron curb : to strive, or fly, 
He held it vain ; awe from above had quell'd 
His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh 860 

The western point, where those half-rounding guards 
Just met, and closing stood, in squadron join'd, 
Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, 
Gabriel, from the front, thus call'd aloud. 
" O friends ! I hear the tread of nimbie feet, 865 

Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern 
Ithuriel and Zephon, through the shade ; 
And with them comes a third, of regal port, 
But faded splendour wan ; who by his gait, 
And fierce demeanor, seems the prince of Hell ; 870 

Not likely to part hence without contest : 
Stand firm, for in his look defiance lowers." 

He scarce had ended, when those two approach 'd ; 
And brief related, whom they brought, where found, 
How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. 875 

To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. 
" Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribed 
To thy transgressions, and disturb' d the charge 
Of others, who approve not to transgress 
By thy example ? but have power and right 880 

To question thy bold entrance on this place ; 



104 



PARADISE LOST. 



Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those, 
Whose dwelling God hath planted here, in bliss." 

To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow. 
" Gabriel, thou hadst in heaven the esteem of wise, 885 

And such I held thee ; but this question ask'd 
Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? 
Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, 
Though thither doom'd ? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt, 
And boldly venture, to whatever place, 890 

Furthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change 
Torment with ease, and soonest recompense 
Dole with delight, which in this place I sought : 
To thee no reason, who know'st only good, 
But evil has not try'd ; and wilt object 895 

His will, who bounds us ? Let him surer bar 
His iron gates, if he intends our stay 
In that dark durance : thus much what was ask'd. 
The rest is true, they found me where they say ; 
But that implies not violence, or harm." 900 

Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel moved, 
Disdainfully, half smiling, thus replied. 
" O loss of one in heaven, to judge of wise, 
Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew ; 
And now returns him, from his prison 'scaped, 905 

Gravely in doubt, whether to hold them wise 
Or not, who ask, what boldness brought him hither 
Unlicensed, from his bounds in Hell prescribed ; 
So wise he judges it, to fly from pain, 
However, and to 'scape his punishment ! 910 

So judge thou still, presumptuous ; till the wrath, 
Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight 
Sevenfold ; and scourge that wisdom back to Hell, 
Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain 
Can equal anger infinite provoked. 915 

But wherefore thou alone ? wherefore, with thee, 
Came not all Hell broke loose ? is pain to them 
Less pain, less to be fled ; or thou than they 
Less hardy to endure? Courageous chief 
The first in flight from pain ; hadst thou alleged 920 

To thy deserted host this cause of flight, 
Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive." 

To which the fiend thus answer'd, frowning stern. 
" Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 
insulting angel ; well thou know'st I stood 925 

Thy fiercest, when in battle, to thy aid, 
The blasting volleyed thunder made all speed, 
And seconded, thy else not dreaded spear. 



PARADISE LOST. 105 

But still thy words at random, as before, 

Argue thy inexperience, what behoves, 93Q 

From hard assays, and ill successes past, 

A faithful leader, not to hazard all, 

Through ways of danger, by himself untried : 

I therefore, I alone, first undertook 

To wing the desolate abyss, and spy 935 

This new-created world, whereof in Hell 

Fame is not silent ; here in hope to find 

Better abode, and my afflicted powers 

To settle here on earth, or in mid air ; 

Though, for possession, put to try once more 940 

What thou and thy gay legions dare against ; 

Whose easier business were to serve their Lord, 

High up in Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne, 

And practised distances to cringe, not fight." 

To whom the warrior- angel soon replied. 945 

"To say, and straight unsay, pretending first 
Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, 
Argues no leader, but a liar traced. 
Satan ! and couldst thou faithful add ? O name, 
O sacred name of faithfulness profaned ! 950 

Faithful to whom ? to thy rebellious crew ? 
Army of fiends, fit body to fit head. 
Was this your discipline and faith engaged, 
Your military obedience, to dissolve 
Allegiance to the acknowledged Power supreme ? 955 

And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem 
Patron of liberty ; who more than thou 
Once fawrt'd, and cringed, and servilely adored 
Heaven's awful Monarch ? wherefore, but in hope 
To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? 960 

But mark, what I aread thee now ; Avaunt ! 
Fly thither whence thou fled'st : If, from this hour, 
Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, 
Back to the infernal pit I drag thee, chained, 
And seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn 965 

The facile gates of Hell, too slightly barr'd." 

So threaten'd he ; but Satan to no threats 
Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied. 

" Then, when I am thy captive, talk of chains, 
Proud limitary cherub; but ere then, 970 

Far heavier load thyself expect to feel, 
From my prevailing arm ; though Heaven's King 
Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, 
Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels, 
In progress through the road of heaven, star-paved." 975 



106 



PARADISE LOST. 



While thus he spate, the angelic squadron bright 
Turn'd fiery red, sharpening, in mooned horns, 
Their phalanx, and began to hem him round, 
With ported spears ; as thick, as when a field 
Of Ceres, ripe for harvest, waving bends 980 

Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind 
Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands, 
Lest, on the threshing-floor, his hopeful sheaves 
Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan alarm'd, 
Collecting all his might, dilated stood, 985 

Like TenerifTe, or Atlas, unremoved : 
His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest 
Sat horror plumed ; nor wanted in his grasp, 
What seem'd, both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds 
Might have ensued, nor only Paradise, 990 

In this commotion, but the starry cope 
Of Heaven, perhaps, or all the elements, 
At least, had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn 
With violence of this conflict, had not soon 
The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray, 995 

Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales ; yet seen 
Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign ; 
Wherein, all things created first he weigh' d, 
The pendulous round earth, with balanced air 
In counterpoise; now ponders all events, 1000 

Battles and realms : in these he put two weights, 
The sequel each of parting and of fight ; 
The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam : 
Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the fiend. 

" Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine, 
Neither our own, but given ; what folly then 
To boast what arms can do ? since thine, no more 
Than Heaven permits; nor mine, though doubled now, 
To trample thee as mire : for proof look up, 
And read thy lot, in yon celestial sign ; 1010 

Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how weak, 
If thou resist." The fiend look'd up, and knew " 
His mounted scale aloft : nor more ; but fled 
Murmuring; and with him fled the shades of night. 



THE END OF BOOK IV. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK V. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream: 
he likes it not, yet comforts her. They come forth to their day- 
labours : their morning hymn, at the door of their bower. God, to 
render roan inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obe- 
dience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand ; who he is, 
and why his enemy ; and whatever else may avail Adam to know. 
Raphael comes down to Paradise : his appearance described : his 
coming discerned by Adam afar oflf, sitting at the door of his 
bower: he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, enter- 
tains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; 
their discourse at table. Raphael performs his message, minds 
Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, 
who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his 
first revolt in heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his 
legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them 
to rebel with him, persuauing all but only Abdiel a seraph ; who in 
argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes hhn. 



PARADISE LOST. 
BOOK V. 



Now morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime 
Advancing-, sow'd the earth with orient pearl ; 
When Adam waked, so customed; for his sleep 
Was airy-light, from pure digestion bred, 
And temperate vapours bland ; which the only sound 5 

Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, 
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song 
Of birds on every bough : so much the more 
His wonder was, to find unwaken'd Eve, 
With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek, 10 

As through unquiet rest. He on his side 
Leaning, half raised, with looks of cordial love 
Hung over her enamour'd ; and beheld 
Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, 
Shot forth peculiar graces ; then with voice 15 

Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, 
Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus. " Awake, 
My fairest, my espoused, my latest found, 
Heaven's last best gift, my ever new delight, 
Awake ; the morning shines, and the fresh field 20 

Calls us ; we lose the prime, to mark how spring 
Our tender plants, how blows the citron-grove ; 
What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed ; 
How nature paints her colours, how the bee 
Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweet." 25 

Such whispering waked her, but with startled eye 
On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake. 

" O sole, in whom my thoughts find all repose, 
My glory, my perfection, glad I see 
Thy face, and morn return'd ; for I this night, SO 

Such night till this I never pass'd, have dream'd, 
If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee, 
Works of day past, or morrow's next design ; 
But of offence and trouble, which my mind 
Knew never, till this irksome night. Methought, 35 

Close at mine ear, one call'd me forth to walk, 
With gentle voice ; I thought it thine : it said, 



110 PARADISE LOST. 

* Why sleep'st thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time, 

The cool, the silent, save where silence yields 

To the night- warbling bird, that now awake, 40 

Tunes sweetest his love-labour'd song ; now reigns 

Full-orb 'd the moon, and with more pleasing light 

Shadowy sets off the face of things ; in vain, 

If none regard : Heaven wakes with all his eyes ; 

Whom to behold but thee, nature's desire ? 45 

In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment, 

Attracted by thy beauty, still to gaze.' 

I rose as at thy call, but found thee not ; 

To find thee I directed then my walk ; 

And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways, 50 

That brought me on a sudden to the tree 

Of interdicted knowledge : fair it seem'd, 

Much fairer to my fancy than by day : 

And as I wondering look'd, beside it stood 

One shaped and wing'd like one of those from Heaven, 55 

By us oft seen ; his dewy locks distill'd " 

Ambrosia; on that tree he also gazed: 

' And, fair plant/ said he, ' with fruit surcharged, 

Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet, 

Nor God, nor Man ? v is knowledge so despised ? "0 

Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste ? 

Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold 

Longer thy offer'd good ; why else set here V 

This said ; he paused not, but with venturous arm 

He pluck'd, he tasted : me damp horror chill'd, 65 

At such bold words, vouch 'd with a deed so bold : 

But he thus, overjoy'd ; ' fruit divine ! 

Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropp'd, 

Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit 

For gods, yet able to make gods of men : 70 

And why not gods of men, since good, the more 

Communicated, more abundant grows, 

The author not impair'd, but honour'd more ? 

Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve, 

Partake thou also : happy though thou art, 75 

Happier thou may'st be, worthier canst not be : 

Taste this, and be henceforth, among the gods, 

Thyself a goddess ; not to earth confined, 

But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes 

Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine ; and see 80 

What life the gods live there, & such live thou.' 

So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held, 

Even to my mouth, of that same fruit, held part, 

Which he had pluck'd: the pleasant savoury smell 



TARADISE LOST. 



Ill 



So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, 85 

Could not but taste. Forthwith, up to the clouds, 

With him I flew; and underneath beheld 

The earth outstretch'd, immense, a prospect wide 

And various : wondering at my flight and change 

To this high exaltation; suddenly 90 

My guide was gone, and 1, methought, sunk down, 

And fell asleep : but O how glad I waked, 

To find this but a dream !" Thus Eve her night 

Related, and thus Adam answer'd sad. 

" Best image of myself, and dearer half, 95 

The trouble of thy thoughts, this night in sleep, 

Affects me equally : nor can I like 

This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear : 

Yet evil whence ? in thee can harbour none, 

Created pure. ( But know, that in the soul 100 

Are many lesser faculties, that serve 

Reason as chief; among these fancy next 

Her office holds; of all external things, 

Which the five watchful senses represent, 

She forms imaginations, airy shapes, 105 

Which reason joining, or disjoining, frames 

All what we affirm, or what deny, and call 

Our knowledge, or opinion ; then retires, 

Into her private cell, when nature rests.* 1 } 

Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes 110 

To imitate her; but misjoining shapes, 

Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams ; 

111 matching words and deeds, long past or late. 

Some such resemblances, methinks, I find 

Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, 115 

But with addition strange ; yet be not sad. 

Evil into the mind of God or man 

May come and go, so unapproved, and leave 

No spot or blame behind -.which gives me hope 

That, what in sleep thou did'st abhor to dream, 120 

Waking, thou never wilt consent to do. 

Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks, 

That wont to be more cheerful and serene, 

Than when fair morning first smiles on the world ; 

And let us to our fresh employments rise, 125 

Among the groves, the fountains; and the flowers, 

That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, 

Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store." 

So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd ; 
But silently a gentle tear let fall 130 

From either eye, and wiped them with her hair ; 



112 PARADISE LOST. 

Two other precious drops that ready stood, 

Each in their crystal sluice, he, ere they fell, 

Kiss'd ; as the gracious signs of sweet remorse, 

And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended. 135 

So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. 
But first, from under shady arborous roof, 
Soon as they forth were come, to open sight 
Of day-spring, and the sun, who scarce up-risen, 
With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean-brim, 140 

Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, 
Discovering, in wide landscape, all the east 
Of Paradise, and Eden's happy plains; 
Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began 
Their orisons, each morning duly paid, 145 

In various style ; for, neither various style, 
Nor holy rapture wanted they, to praise 
Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung 
Unmeditated ; such prompt eloquence 
Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse 150 

More tuneable than needed lute or harp, 
To add more sweetness ; and they thus began. 

" These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 
Almighty, Thine this universal frame, 
Thus wondrous fair ; Thyself how wonderous then ' 155 

Unspeakable, who sit'st above these Heavens, 
To us invisible, or dimly seen 
In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine. 
Speak ye, who best can tell, ye sons of light, 160 

Angels ; for ye behold Him, and with songs 
And choral symphonies, day without night, 
Circle his throne rejoicing; ye in Heaven, 
On Earth, join all ye creatures, to extol 
Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 165 

Fairest of stars, last in th* train of night, 
If better, thou belong not to the dawn, 
Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn 
With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, 
While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. 170 

Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul, 
Acknowledge him thy greater, sound His praise 
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, 
And when high noon hast gain'd, & when thou fall'st. 
Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fliest, *■'& 

With the fix'cl stars, fix'd in their orb that flies, 
And ye five other wandering fires, that move 
In mystic dance, not without song, resound 



PARADISE LOST. 



113 



His praise, who, out of darkness, call'd up light 

Air, and ye elements, the eldest birth 180 

Of nature's womb, that in quaternion run 

Perpetual circle, multiform, and mix, 

And nourish all things ; let your ceaseless change 

Vary to our great Maker still new praise. 

Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise 185 

From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray, 

Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, 

In honour to the world's great Author rise ; 

Whether, to deck with clouds the uncolour'd sky, 

Or wet the thirsty earth, with falling showers, 190 

Rising or falling, still advance his praise. — 

His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, 

Breathe soft or loud ; & wave your tops, ye pines, 

With every plant, in sign of worship wave. 

Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, 195 

Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. 

Join voices all ye living souls : ye birds, 

That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend, 

Bear on your wings, & in your notes, his praise. 

Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk 200 

The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep ; 

Witness, if I be silent, morn or even, 

To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade, 

Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. 

Hail, universal Lord! be bounteous still 205 

To give us only good ; and if the night 

Have gather'd aught of evil, or conceal'd, 

Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark." 

So pray'd they innocent; & to their thoughts 
Firm peace recover'd soon, and wonted calm. 210 

On to their morning's rural work they haste, 
Among sweet dews and flowers ; where any row 
Of fruit-trees, over-woody, reach'd too far 
Their pamper'd boughs, & needed hands to check 
Fruitless embraces : (or, they led the vine 215 

To wed her elm ; she spoused, about him twines 
Her marriageable arms ; and with her brings 
Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn 
His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd, beheld 
With pity Heaven's high King, and to him call'd 220 

Raphael, the sociable spirit, that deign'd 
To travel with Tobias, and secured 
His marriage with the seven -times- wedded maid 

"Raphael, "said he, " thou hear'st what stir on earth, 
Satan, from Hell 'scaped, through the darksome gulf, 225 



114 



PARADISE LOST. 



Hath raised in Paradise, and how disturb'd 

This night the human pair; how he designs, 

In them, at once to ruin all mankind. 

Go therefore, half this day, as friend with friend, 

Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade 230 

Thou find'st him, from the heat of noon retired, 

To respite his day-labour with repast, 

Or with repose ; and such discourse bring on, 

As may advise him of his happy state ; 

Happiness in his power, left free to will, 235 

Left to his own free will, his will though free, 

Yet mutable ; whence warn him, to beware 

He swerve not, too secure : tell him withal 

His danger, and from whom ; what enemy, 

Late fall'n Himself from heaven, is plotting now 240 

The fall of others, from like state of bliss ; 

By violence ? no, for that shall be withstood ; 

But by deceit and lies : this let him know, 

Lest, wilfully transgressing, he pretend 

Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd." 245 

So spake the eternal Father, and fulfill'd 
All justice : nor delay 'd the winged saint, 
After his charge received ; but from among 
Thousand celestial ardours, where he stood 
Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light, 250 

Flew thro' the midst of heaven ; the angelic quires, 
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way, 
Through all the empyreal road ; till, at the gate 
Of heaven arrived, the gate self-open'd wide, 
On golden hinges turning, as by work 255 

Divine the sovereign Architect had framed. 
From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, 
Star interposed : however small he sees, 
Not unconform to other shining globes, 
Earth, & the garden of God, with cedars crown'd 260 

Above all hills. As when, by night, the glass 
Of Galileo, less assured, observes 
Imagined lands and regions in the moon : 
Or pilot, from amidst the Cyclades, 
Delos or Samos first appearing, kens 265 

A cloudy spot. Down thither, prone in flight, 
He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky, 
Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing , 
Now on the polar winds, then, with quick fan, 
Winnows the buxom air ; till within soar 270 

Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems 
A phoenix, g^.zed by all, as that sole bird, 



PARADISE LOST. 



.15 



When to enshrine his reliques, in the sun's 
Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies. 
At once, on the eastern cliff of Paradise 275 

He lights, and to his proper shape returns, 
A seraph winged : six wings he wore, to shade 
His lineaments divine ; the pair that clad 
Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast, 
With regal ornament ; the middle pair 280 

Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round 
Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold, 
And colours dipp'd in Heaven ; the third his feet 
Shadow'd from either heel, with feather'd mail, 
Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia's son he stood 285 

And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance fill'd 
The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands 
Of angels under watch ; and to his state, 
And to his message high, in honour rise ; 
For, on some message high they guess'd him bound. 290 

Their glittering tents hepass'd, and now is come 
Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, 
And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm ; 
(A wilderness of sweets : for nature here 
Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 295 

Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 
Wild above rule or art; enormous bliss.) - 
Him, through the spicy forest onward come, 
Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat 
Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun 300 

Shot down direct his fervid rays, to warm 
Earth's inmost womb ; more warmth than Adam needs. 
And Eve within, due at her hour, prepared 
For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please 
True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 305 

Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream, 
Berry or grape : to whom thus Adam call'd. 

" Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold, 
Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape 
Comes this way moving ; seems another morn 310 

Risen on mid-noon : some great behest from Heaven 
To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe 
This day to be our guest. But go with speed, 
And what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour 
Abundance, fit to honour and receive 315 

Our heavenly stranger : well may we afford 
Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow, 
From large bestow 'd ; where nature multiplies 
Her fertile growth, and, by disburdening, grows 



116 PARADISE LOST. 

More fruitful; which instructs us not to spare." 320 

To whom thus Eve. "Adam, earth's hallo w'd mold 
Of God inspired, small store will serve, where store, 
All seasons ripe for use, hangs on the stalk ; 
Save what by frugal storing firmness gains 
To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes. 325 

But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, 
Each plant & juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice. 
To entertain our angel-guest, as he 
Beholding shall confess, that here on earth, 
God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven." 330 

So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste 
She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent, 
What choice to choose for delicacy best, 
What order, so contrived, as not to mix 
Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant; but bring 335 

Taste after taste, upheld with kindliest change : 
Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk, 
Whatever earth, all-bearing mother, yields 
In India East or West, or middle shore 
In Pontus, or the Punic coast, or where 340 

Alcinos reign'd ; fruit of all kinds, in coat 
Rough or smooth rined, or bearded husk, or shell, 
She gathers, tribute large ; and on the board 
Heaps with unsparing hand. For drink the grape 
She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths 345 

From many a berry, &, from sweet kernels press'd, 
She tempers dulcet creams ; nor these to hold 
Wants her fit vessels pure ; then strows the ground 
With rose and odours, from the shrub unfumed. 

Meanwhile, our primitive great sire, to meet 350 

His godlike guest, walks forth ; without more train 
Accompanied, than with his own complete 
Perfections : ( in himself was all his state, 
More solemn, than the tedious pomp that waits 
On princes, when their rich retinue long, 355 

Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold, 
Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. ) 
Nearer his presence, Adam, though not awed, 
Yet with submiss approach, and reverence meek, 
As to a superior nature, bowing low, 360 

Thus said. " Native of Heaven, for other place 
None can than heaven such glorious shape contain ; 
Since, by descending from the thrones above, 
Those happy places thou hast deign'd awhile 
To want, and honour these ; vouchsafe with us, 365 

Two only, who yet by sovereign gift possess 



TARADISE LOST. 117 

This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower 
To rest ; and what the garden choicest bears 
To sit and taste, till this meridian heat 
Be over, and the sun more cool decline.' 370 

Whom thus the angelic virtue answer'd mild. 
"Adam, I therefore came, nor art thou such 
Created, or such place hast here to dwell, 
As may not oft invite, though spirits of Heaven, 
To visit thee; lead on then, where thy bower 375 

O'ershades ; for these mid-hours, till evening rise, 
I have at will." — So to the sylvan lodge 
They came, that like Pomona's arbour smiled, 
With flowerets deck'd, & fragrant smells ; but Eve, 
Undeck'd, save with herself, more lovely fair 380 

Than wood-nymph, or the fairest goddess feign'd 
Of three, that in mount Ida naked strove, 
Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven ; no veil 
She needed, virtue-proof; no thought infirm 
Alter'd her cheek. On whom the angel hail 385 

Bestow 'd, the holy salutation, used 
Long" after, to bless'd Mary, second Eve. 

" Hail Mother of mankind, whose fruitful womb 
Shall fill the world, more numerous with thy sons, 
Than, with these various fruits, the trees of God 390 

Have heap'd this table." Raised of grassy turf 
Their table was, and mossy seats had round, 
And on her ample square, from side to side, 
All Autumn piled ; though spring and autumn here 
Danced hand in hand. A while discourse they hold ; 395 

No fear lest dinner cool; when thus began 
Our author. " Heavenly stranger, please to taste 
These bounties, which our Nourish er, from whom 
AH perfect good, unmeasured out, descends 
To us, for food and for delight, hath caused 400 

The earth to yield ; unsavoury food perhaps 
To spiritual natures ; only this I know, 
That one celestial Father gives to all." 

To whom the angel. " Therefore what he gives, 
Whose praise be ever sung, to man, in part 405 

Spiritual, may of purest spirits be found 
No ingrateful food : and, food alike those pure 
Intelligential substances require, 
As doth your rational ; and both contain 
Within them every lower faculty 410 

Of sense, whereby they hear, see. smell, touch, taste, 
Tasting, concoct, digest, assimilate, 
And corporeal to incorporeal turn. 



118 



PARADISE LOST. 



For know, whatever was created, needs 

To be sustain'd and fed ; of elements 

The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea, 

Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires 

Ethereal, and, as lowest, first the moon ; 

Whence, in her visage round, those spots, unpurged 

Vapours, not yet into her substance turn'd. 420 

Nor, doth the moon no nourishment exhale, 

From her moist continent, to higher orbs. 

The sun, that light imparts to all, receives 

From all his . alimental recompense, 

In humid exhalations ; and at even 425 

Sups with the ocean. Though, in Heaven, the trees 

Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines 

Yield nectar ; though from off the boughs each morn, 

We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground 

Cover'd with pearly grain : yet God hath here 430 

Varied his bounty so with new delights, 

As may compare with Heaven ; and to taste 

Think not I shall be nice." So down they sat, 

And to their viands fell; nor seemingly 

The angel, nor in mist, the common gloss 435 

Of theologians, but with keen dispatch 

Of real hunger, and concoctive heat 

To transubstantiate : what redounds, transpires 

Through spirits with ease : nor wonder, if, by fire 

Of sooty coal, the empyric alchemist 440 

Can turn, or holds it possible to turn, 

Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold, 

As from the mine. Mean while, at table Eve 

Minister'd naked, and their flowing cups 

With pleasant liquors crown'd : O innocence 445 

Deserving Paradise! if ever, then, 

Then had the sons of God excuse to have been 

Enamour'd, at that sight; but in those hearts 

Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy 

Was understood, the injur'd lover's hell. 450 

Thus, when with meats & drinks they had sufr}. J d 
Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose 
In Adam, not to let the occasion pass, 
Given him by this great conference, to know 
Of things above his world, and of their being, 455 

Who dwell in Heaven ; whose excellence he saw 
Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms, 
Divine effulgence ; whose high power so far 
Exceeded human ; and his wary speech 
Thus, to the empyreal minister, he framed. 460 



PARADISE LOST. 119 

" Inhabitant with God, now know I well 
Thy favour, in this honour done to man ; 
Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed 
To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste; 
Food not of angels, yet accepted so, 4g5 

As that more willingly thou couldst not seem 
At Heaven's high feasts to have fed ; yet what compare ?" 

To whom the winged hierarch replied. 
" O Adam, one Almighty is, from whom 
All things proceed, and up to him return, 470 

If not depraved from good, created all, 
Such to perfection, one first matter all, 
Endued with various forms, various degrees 
Of substance, and in things that live, of life ; 
But more refined, more spirituous, and pure; 475 

As nearer to him placed, or nearer tending, 
Each in their several active spheres assign'd, 
Till body up to spirit work, in bounds 
Proportion'd to each kind. So, from the root, 
Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 480 
More airy, last, the bright consummate flower 
Spirits odorous breathes : flowers and their fruit, 
Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed, 
The vital spirit aspire, to animal, 

To intellectual ; give both life and sense, 485 

Fancy and understanding ; whence the soul 
Reason receives, and reason is her being, 
Discursive, or intuitive ; discourse 
Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, 
Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 490 

Wonder not then, what God for you saw good, 
If I refuse not, but convert, as you, 
To proper substance :\time may come, when men. 
With angels may participate, and find 
No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare ; 495 

And, from these corporal nutriments perhaps, 
Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, 
Improved by tract of time, and wing'd, ascend 
Ethereal, as we ;] or may at choice, 
Here, or in heavenly Paradises dwell ; 500 

If ye be found obedient, and retain 
Unalterably firm his love entire, 
Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile, enjoy 
Your fill, what happiness this happy state 
Can comprehend, incapable of more." 505 

To whom the patriarch of mankind reply 'd. 
" O favourable spirit, propitious guest, 



120 PARADISE LOST. 

Well hast thou taught the way, that might direct 

Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set, 

From centre to circumference, whereon, 51 q 

In contemplation of created things, 

By steps we may ascend to God. But say, 

What meant that caution join'd, ' if ye be found 

Obedient?' Can we want obedience then 

To him, or possibly his love desert, 515 

Who form'd us from the dust, and placed us here, 

Full to the utmost measure of what bliss 

Human desires can seek, or apprehend ?" 
To whom the Angel. " Son of Heaven and Earth 

Attend : that thou art happy, owe to God ; 520 

That thou continues! such, owe to thyself; 

That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. 
^This was that caution given thee; be advis'd. 
( God made thee perfect, not immutable ; 

And good he made thee ; but to persevere 525 

He left it in thy power, ordain'd thy will 

By nature free, not over-ruled by fate 

Inextricable, or strict necessity; 

Our voluntary service he requires, 

Not our necessitated ; such with him 530 

Finds no acceptance, nor can find ;) for how 

Can hearts, not free, be try'd whether they serve 

Willing or no, who will, but what they must 

By destiny, and can no other choose ? 

Myself and all the Angelic host, that stand 535 

In sight of God enthroned, our happy state 

Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds 

On other surety none ; freely we serve, 

Because we freely love, as in our will 

To love or not ; in this we stand or fall : 540 

And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen, 

And so from Heaven to deepest Hell. O fall, 

From what high state of bliss, into what woe!" 
To whom our great progenitor. "Thy words 

Attentive, and with more delighted ear, 545 

Divine instructor, I have heard, than when 

Cherubic songs, by night from neighbouring hills, 

Aerial music send : nor knew 1 not 

To be both will and deed created free; 

Yet, that we never shall forget to love 

Our Maker, and obey him, whose command 

Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts 

Assured me, & still assure : though what thou tell'st 

Hath pass'd in Heaven, some doubt within me move, 



550 



PARADISE LOST. 121 

But. more desire to hear, if thou consent, 555 

'i he full relation, which must needs be strange, 

Worthy of sacred silence to be heard ; 

And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun 

Hath finish'd half his journey, and scarce begins 

His other half, in the great zone of Heaven " 560 

Thus Adam made request ; and Raphael, 
After short pause, assenting, thus began. 

" High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men, 
Sad task and hard ; for how shall I relate, 
To human sense, the invisible exploits 565 

Of warring spirits ? how, without remorse, 
The ruin of so many, glorious once, 
And perfect while they stood ? how last unfold 
The secrets of another world, perhaps 
Not lawful to reveal ? yet for thy good 570 

This is dispens'd ; and what surmounts the reach 
Of human sense, I shall delineate so, 
By likening spiritual to corporeal forms, 
As may express them best ; though, what if Earth 
Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein, 575 

Each to other like, more than on earth is thought ? 

"As yet this world was not ; and Chaos wild 
Reign'd where these Heavens now roll, where Earth now 
Upon her centre pois'd ; when on a day, [rests, 

For time, though in eternity, applied 580 

To motion, measures all things durable 
By present, past, and future ; on such day, 
As Heaven's great year brings forth, the empyreal host 
Of angels, by imperial summons call'd, 
Innumerable, before the Almighty's throne,- 585 

Forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appfear'd, 
Under their hierarchs, in order bright; 
Ten thousand thousand ensigns higH advanced, 
Standards and gonfalons, 'twixt van and rear, 
Stream in the air, and for distinction serve 590 

Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees ; 
Or, in their glittering tissues, bear imblazed 
Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love 
Recorded eminent. Thus, when in orbs 
Of circuit inexpressible they stood, 595 

Orb within orb, the Father infinite, 
By whom, in bliss imbosom'd, sat the Son, 
Amidst, as from a flaming mount, whose top 
Brightness had made invisible, thus spake. 

" ' Hear all ye Angels, progeny of light, 600 

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, 



*22 



PARADISE LOST. 



Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand 

This day I have begot whom I declare 

My only Son, and on this holy hill 

Him have anointed, whom ye now behold (JQ5 

At my right hand ; your Head I him appoint ; 

And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow 

All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord : 

Under his great vicegerent-reign abide 

United, as one individual soul, 610 

For ever happy : him who disobeys, 

Me disobeys, breaks union t and that day, 

Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls 

Into utter darkness, deep ingulf'd, his place 

Ordain'd, without redemption, without end." 615 

•' So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words 
All seem'd well pleased ; all seem'd, but were not all. 
That day, as other solemn days, they spent 
In song and dance, about the sacred hill ; 
Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere 620 

Of planets and of fix'd, in all her wheels, 
Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, 
Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular, 
Then most, when most irregular they seem ; 
And, in their motions, harmony divine 625 

So smoothes her charming tones, that God's own ear 
Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd, 
For we have also our evening and our morn ; 
We ours, for change delectable, not need ; 
Forthwith, from dance to sweet repast they turn 630 

Desirous ; all in circles as they stood, 
Tables are set, and on a sudden piled, 
With angels' food ; and rubied nectar flows 
In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, 
Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven. 635 

On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowrets crown'd 
They eat, they drink, and, in communion sweet, 
QuafT immortality and joy, secure 
Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds 
Excess, before the all-bounteous King, who shower'd 640 
With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. 
Now when ambrosial night, with clouds exhaled 
From that high mount of God, v/hence light & shade 
Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had chang'd 
To grateful twilight ; for night comes not there 645 

In darker veil; and roseate dews disposed 
All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest ; 
Wide over all the plain, and wider far 



PARADISE LOST. 123 

Than all this globose earth, in plain outspread, 

Such are the courts of God, the angelic throng, 650 

Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend 

By living streams, among the trees of life, 

Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd 

Celestial tabernacles, where they slept 

Fann'd with cool winds; save those, who in their course, 

Melodious hymns about the sovereign throne 

Alternate, all night long. But not so waked 

Satan, so call him now, his former name 

Is heard no more in Heaven ; he, of the first, 

If not the first arch-angel, great in power, 660 

In favour and pre-eminence, yet fraught 

With envy against the Son of God, that day 

Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd 

Messiah, King anointed, could not bear, 

Through pride, that sight, and thought himself impaird. 

Deep malice thence conceiving, and disdain, 

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour, 

Frieudliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd, 

With all his legions, to dislodge, and leave 

Unworshipp'd, unobey'd, the throne supreme, 670 

Contemptuous ; and his next subordinate 

Awakening, thus to him in secret spake. c 

" * Sleep'st thou, companion dear, what sleep can close 
Thy eye-lids ? and remember'st what decree 
Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips 675 

Oi Heaven's Almighty ? Thou to me thy thoughts 
Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart ; 
Both waking we were one ; how then can now 
Thy sleep dissent ? New laws thou seest impos'd ; 
New laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise 680 
In us who serve ; new counsels, to debate 
What doubtful may ensue ; more in this place 
To utter is not safe. Assemble thou, 
Of all those myriads which we lead, the chief; 
Tell them, that by command, ere yet dim night 685 

Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste, 
And all who under me their banners wave, 
Homeward, with flying march, where we possess 
The quarters of the n6rth ; there to prepare 
Fit entertainment, to receive our King, 690 

The great Messiah, and his new commands ; 
Who speedily, through all the hierarchies, 
Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws/ 

" So spake the false arch-angel, and infused 
Bad influence into the unwary breast 695 



124 PARADISE LOST. 

Of his associate : lie together calls, 

Or several one by one, the regent powers, 

Under him regent ; tells, as he was taught, 

That the Most High, commanding, now ere night, 

Now ere dim night had disincumber'd Heaven, 700 

The great hierarchal standard was to move; 

Tells the suggested cause, and casts between 

Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 

Or taint integrity : but all obey'd 

The wonted signal, and superior voice 705 

Of their great potentate ; for great, indeed 

His name, and high was his degree in Heaven : 

His countenance, as the morning star that guides 

The starry flock, allured them, and with lies 

Drew after him the third part of Heaven's host. 710 

Meanwhile the eternal eye, whose sight discerns 

Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount, 

And from within the golden lamps, that burn 

Nightly before him, saw, without their light, 

Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spread 715 

Among the sons of morn, what multitudes 

Were banded to oppose his high decree ; 

And, smiling, to his only Son thus said : 

" ' Son, thou in whom my glory I behold 
In full resplendence, heir of all my might, 720 

Nearly it now concerns us to be sure 
Of our omnipotence, and, with what arms 
We mean to hold, what anciently we claim 
Of deity or empire ; such a foe 

Is rising, who intends to erect his throne 725 

Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north ; 
Nor so content, hath in his thought to try, 
In battle, what our power is, or our right. 
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw 
With speed what force is left, and all employ 730 

In our defence, lest unawares we lose 
This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill.' 

" To whom the Son, with calm aspect and clear, 
Lightning divine, ineffable, serene, 

Made answer. ' Mighty Father, thou thy foes 735 

Justly hast in derision, and, secure, 
Laugh'st at their vain designs, and tumults vain 
Matter to me of glory, whom their hate 
Illustrates ; when they see all regal power 
Given me, to quell their pride, and in event 740 

Know, whether I be dextrous to subdue 
Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven. 



PARADISE LOST. 1 -«> 

" So spake the Son ; but Satan with his powers 
Far was advanced, on winged speed, an host 
Innumerable, as the stars of night, 745 

Or stars of morning, dew-drops, which the sun 
Impearls on every leaf, and every flower. 
Regions they pass'd, the mighty regencies 
Of seraphim, and potentates, and thrones, 
In their triple degrees; regions to which 750 

All thy dominion, Adam, is no more 
Than what this garden is to all the earth, 
And all the sea, from one entire globose 
Stretch'd into longitude ; which having pass'd, 
At length, into the limits of the north 755 

They came; and Satan to his royal seat 
High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount 
Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers, 
From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold, 
The palace of great Lucifer, so call 760 

That structure, in the dialect of men 
Interpreted, which not long after, he, 
Affecting all equality with God, 
In imitation of that mount, whereon 
Messiah was declar'd, in sight of Heaven, 765 

The mountain of the congregation call'd ; 
For thither he assembled all his train, 
Pretending, so commanded, to consult 
About the great reception of their King, 
Thither to come ; and, with calumnious art 770 

Of counterfeited truth, thus held their ears. 

" ' Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers. 
If these magnificent titles yet remain 
Not merely titular; since, by decree, 
Another now hath to himself engross'd 775 

All power, and us eclipsed, under the name 
Of King anointed ; for whom all this haste 
Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, 
This only to consult, how we may best, 
With what may be devis'd of honours new, 780 

Receive him, coming to receive from us 
Knee-tribute, yet unpaid, prostration vile, 
Too much to one, but double how endur'd, 
To one, and to his image now proclaim'd ? 
But what if better counsels might erect 785 

Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke ? 
Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend 
The souple knee ? ye will not, if I trust 
To know ye right ; or if ye know yourselves 



126 



PARADISE LOST. 



Natives and sons of Heaven, possess'd before 790 

By none, and if not equal all, yet free, 

Equally ' free ; for orders and degrees 

Jar no: with liberty, but well consist. 

Who can in reason then or right assume 

Monarchy over such as live by right 795 

His equals? if in power and splendour less, 

In freedom equal : or can introduce 

Law and edict on us, who without law 

Err not ? much less for this to be our Lord, 

And look for adoration, to the abuse 800 

Of those imperial titles, which assert 

Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve.' 

" Thus far his bold discourse, without control- 
Had audience, when among the seraphim 
Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored 805 

The Deity, and divine commands obey'd, 
Stood up ; and , in a flame of zeal severe, 
The current of his fury thus oppos'd. 

" ' O argument blasphemous, false, and proud 1 
Words, which no ear ever to hear in Heaven 810 

Expected ; least of all from thee, ingrate, 
In place, thyself so high above thy peers. 
Canst thou, with impious obloquy, condemn 
The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn, 
That to his only Son, by right endued 815 

With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven 
Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due, 
Confess him rightful King ? Unjust thou say'st, 
Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free, 
And equal over equals to let reign, 820 

One over all, with unsucceeded power. 
Shalt thou give law to God ? shalt thou dispute 
With him the points of liberty, who made 
Thee what thou art, & form'd the powers of Heaven 
Such as he pleased, and circumscrib'd their being? - 825 
Yet by experience taught, we know how good, 
And of our good, and of our dignity, 
How provident he is ; how far from thought 
To make us less, bent rather to exalt 
Our happy state, under one head more near 830 

United. But to grant it thee unjust, 
That equal over equals monarch reign : 
Thyself, though great & glorious, dost thou count, 
Or all angelic nature join'd in one, 
Equal to him begotten Son ? by whom, 835 

As by his word, the mighty Father made 



PARADISE LOST. 127 

Ml tilings, even thee ; & all the spirits of Heaven, 

By. him created in their bright degrees, 

Crown'd them with glory, & to their glory nam'd 

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, 840 

Essential powers ; nor by his reign obscured, 

But more illustrious made ; since he the head 

One of our number, thus reduced becomes ; 

His laws our laws ; all honour to him done 

Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 845 

And tempt not these ; but hasten to appease 

The incens'd Father, and the incensed Son, 

While pardon may be found, in time besought.' 

" So spake the fervent angel ; but his zeal 
None seconded, as out of season judged, 850 

Or singular and rash ; whereat, rejoiced 
The apostate, and more haughty thus replied. 
' That we were form'd then, sayst thou ? & the work 
Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd 
From Father to his Son? Strange point and new! 855 
Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd : who saw 
When this creation was? remember'st thou 
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being ? 
We know no time when we were not as now ; 
Know none before us, self-begot, self- raised 860 

By our own quickening power; when fatal course 
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature 
Of this our native Heaven, ethereal sons. 
Our puissance is our own ; our own right hand 
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 865 

Who is our equal: then thou shalt behold, 
Whether by supplication we intend 
Address, and to begird the Almighty throne 
Beseeching, or besieging. This report, 
These tidings carry to the anointed King ; 870 

And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight/ 

" He said, and, as the sound of waters deep, 
Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause, 
Through the infinite host; nor less for that, 
The flaming seraph, fearless, though alone, 875 

Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold 

" ' O alienate from God, O spirit accursed, 
Forsaken of all good ; I see thy fall 
Determined, and thy hapless crew involved 
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread, 880 

Both of thy crime and punishment : henceforth, 
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke 
Of God's Messiah ; those indulgent laws 



128 paradise lost. 

Will not be now vouchsafed : other decrees 

Against thee are gone forth, without recall; 885 

That golden sceptre, which thou didst reject, 

Is now an iron rod, to bruise and break 

Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, 

Yet, not for thy advice, or threats, I fly 

These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath 890 

Impendent, raging into sudden flame, 

Distinguish not : for soon expect to feel 

His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. 

Then, who created thee lamenting learn, 

When, who can uncreate thee, thou shalt know.' 895 

" So spake the seraph Abdiel, faithful found, 
Among the faithless, faithful only he ; 
Among innumerable false, unmoved, 
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrifled, 

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 900 

Nor number, nor example with him wrought, 
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, 
Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, 
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustain 'd 
Superior, nor of violence fear'd aught : 905 

And, with retorted scorn, his back he turn'd 
On those proud tow'rs,to swift destruction doom'd " 



PARADISE LOST 

BOOK VI 



THE ARGUMENT 



Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were sent forth 
to battle against Satan and his angels. The first fight described. 
Satan and his powers retire under night. He calls a council, in- 
vents devilish engines, which in the second day's fight put Michael 
and his angels to some disorder; but they at length, pulling up 
mountains, overwhelmed Loth 'fie force and machines of Satan. 
Yet the tumult not so ending, God, on the third day sends Mes~ 
siah, his son, for whom he had reserved the glory of that victory : 
He, in the power of his Father, coming to the place, and causing 
all his legions to stand still on either side, with his chariot and 
thunder driving into the midst of his enemies, pursues them, un- 
able to resist, towards the wall of Heaven; which, opening, they 
leap down with horror and confusion into the place of punishment 
prepared for them in the deep. Messiah returns with triumph to 
his Father. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK VI. 



" All night the dreadless Angel, unpursued, 
Through Heaven's wide champaign held his way; till morn, 
Waked by the circling hours, with rosy hand, 
Unbarr'd the gates of light. ('There is a cave, 
Within the mount of God, fast by his throne, 5 

Where light and darkness, in perpetual round, 
Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heaven 
Grateful vicissitude, like day and night : 
Light issues forth, and, at the other door, 
Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 10 

To veil the Heaven ; though darkness there might well 
Seem twilight here. And now went forth the morn , 
Such as in highest Heaven array' d in gold 
Empyreal ; from before her vanish'd night, 
Shot through with orient beams ; when all the plain, 1 5 

Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, 
Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds, 
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view. ) 
War he perceived, war in procinct, and found 
Already known, what he for news had thought 20 

To have reported : gladly then he mix'd 
Among those friendly pow'rs, who him receiv'd 
With joy and acclamations loud, that one, 
That of so many myriads fall'n, yet one 
Return'd not lost. On to the sacred hill 25 

They led him high applauded, and present 
Before the seat supreme ; from whence a voice 
From midst a golden cloud, thus mild was heard. 

" ' Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought 
The better fight, who single hast maintain'd, 30 

Against revolted multitudes, the cause 
Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms ; 
And for the testimony of truth hast borne 
Universal reproach, far worse to bear 
Than violence ; for this was all thy care, 35 

To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds 



132 PARADISE LOST. 

Judged thee pei verse : the easier conquest now 

Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, 

Baok on thy foes more glorious to return ; 

Than scorn'd thou didst depart, and to subdue 40 

By force, who reason for their law refuse ; 

Right reason for their law, and for their king, 

Messiah, who by right of merit reigns. 

Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, 

And thou, in military prowess next, 45 

Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons 

Invincible, lead forth thy armed saints, 

By thousands and by millions ranged for fight ; 

Equal in number to that godless crew 

Rebellious ; them with fire and hostile arms 50 

Fearless assault, and, to the brow of Heaven 

Pursuing, drive them out from God and bliss, 

Into their place of punishment, the gulf 

Of Tartarus ; which ready opens wide 

His fiery Chaos, to receive their fall/ 

" So spake the sovereign voice ; & clouds began 
To darken ail the hill, and smoke to roll 
In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign 
Of wrath awaked ; nor with less dread the loud 
Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow : 60 

At which command the powers militant, 
That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd 
Of union irresistible, mov'd on 
In silence their bright legions, to the sound 
Of instrumental harmony, that breath'd 65 

Heroic ardour to adventurous deeds, 
Under their God-like leaders, in the cause 
Of God and his Messiah. On they move, 
Indissolubly firm ; nor obvious hill, 
Nor straitening vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 70 

Their perfect ranks ; for high above the ground 
Their march was, and the passive air upbore 
Their nimble tread: as when the total kind 
Of birds, in orderly array on wing, 
Came summon'd over Eden, to receive 75 

Their names of thee : so over many a tract 
Of Heaven they march'd, and many a province wide, 
Tenfold the length of this terrene: at last,^ 
Far in the horizon, to the north, appear'd 
From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd 
In battailous aspect, and, nearer view, 
Bristled with upright beams innumerable 
Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields 



50 



PARADISE LOST. 



133 



Various, with boastful argument portray 'd, 

The banded pow'rs of Satan hasting- on 85 

With furious expedition ; for they ween'd 

That self-same day, by fight, or by surprise, 

To win the mount of God, and on his throne 

To set the envier of his state, the proud 

Aspirer : but their thoughts proved fond and vain, 90 

In the midway: though strange to us it seem'd 

At first, that angel should with angel war, 

And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 

So oft in festivals of joy and love 

Unanimous, as sons of one great Sire, 95 

Hymning the eternal Father. But the shout 

Of battle now began, and rushing sound 

Of onset ended soon each milder thought. 

High in the midst, exalted as a god, 

The apostate in his sun-bright chariot sat, 100 

Idol of majesty divine, enclos'd 

With flaming cherubim, and golden shields; 

Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now, 

Twixt host and host but narrow space was left, 

A dreadful interval, and front to front 105 

Presented stood, in terrible array 

Of hideous length. Before the cloudy van, 

On the rough edge of battle, ere it join'd, 

Satan, with vast and haughty strides advanced, 

Came towering, arm'd in adamant and gold : 110 

Abdiel that sight endured not, where he stood 

Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds, 

And thus his own undaunted heart explores : 

" ' O Heaven ! that such resemblance of the Highest 
Should yet remain, where faith and realty 115 

Remain not : wherefore should not strength and might 
There fail, where virtue fails, or weakest prove, 
Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable ? 
His puissance, trusting in the Almighty's aid, 
I mean to try, whose reason I have tried, 120 

Unsound and false : nor is it ought but just, 
That he, who in debate of truth hath won, 
Should win in arms, in both disputes alike 
Victor; though brutish that contest and foul, 
When reason hath to deal with force, yet so 125 

Most reason is, that reason overcome.' 

" So pondering, and from his armed peers 
Forth stepping opposite, half way he met 
His daring foe, at this prevention more 
Incensed, and thus securely him defied * ° 



134 



PARADISE LOST. 



" ' Proud, art thou met ? thy hope was to have reach *d 
The height of thy aspiring-, unopposed, 
The throne of God unguarded, and his side 
Abandon'd, at the terror of thy power 
Or potent tongue : fooi, not to think how vain 135 

Against the Omnipotent to rise in arms ! 
Who out of smallest things, could without end 
Have raised incessant armies to defeat 
Thy folly ; or with solitary hand, 

Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow, 140 

Unaided, could have finish'd thee, and whelm'd 
Thy legions under darkness ; but thou seest 
All are not of thy train : there be who faith 
Prefer, and piety to God, though then 
To thee not visible, when I alone 145 

Seem'd in thy world erroneous to dissent 
From all : my sect thou seest; now learn, too l°*e, 
How few sometimes may know, when thousands err.' 

" Whom the grand foe, with scornful eye askance, 
Thus answered. ' 111 for thee, but in wish'd hour 150 

Of my revenge, first sought for, thou return'st 
From flight, seditious angel, to receive 
Thy merited reward, the first essay 
Of this right hand, provoked, since first that tongue, 
Inspired with contradiction, durst oppose 155 

A third part of the Gods, in synod met, 
Their deities to assert, who, while they feel 
Vigour divine within them, can allow 
Omnipotence to none. But well thou com'st 
Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 160 

From me some plume, that thy success may show 
Destruction to the rest : this pause between 
Unanswer'd lest thou boast, to let thee know ; 
At first I thought that liberty and Heaven 
To heavenly souls, had been all one ; but now 1 65 

I see, that most through sloth had rather serve 
Ministering spirits, trained up in feast and song 
Such hast thou arm'd, the minstrelsy of Heaven, 
Servility with freedom to contend, 
As both their deeds compar'd this day shall prove.' 1 70 

" To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern replied. 
* Apostate, still thou err'st ; nor end wilt find 
Of erring, from the path of truth remote : 
Unjustly thou depravest it with the name 
Of servitude, to serve whom God ordains, 175 

Or nature ; God and nature bid the same, 
When he who rules is worthiest, and excels 



PARADISE LOST. 135 

Them whom lie governs. This is servitude, 

To serve the unwise, or him who hath rebell'd 

Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, J3q 

Thyself not free, but to thyself enthrall'ti ; 

Yet lewdly darest our ministering- upbraid. 

Reign thou in Hell, thy kingdom ; let me serve 

In Heaven, God ever blest, and his divine 

Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd : 185 

Yet chains in Hell, not realms, expect ; meanwl ile, 

From mereturn'd, as erst thou saidst, from flight, 

This greeting on thy impious crest receive.' 

" So saying, a noble stroke he li'ted high, 
Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell, 190 

On the proud crest of Satan, that no sight, 
Nor motion of quick thought, less could his shield 
Such ruin intercept : ten paces huge 
He back recoil'd ; the tenth, on bended knee, 
His massy spear up-stay'd ; as if on earth J. 95 

Winds under ground, or waters forcing way 
Sidelong, had push'd a mountain from his seat, 
Half sunk with all his pines. Amazement seiz'd 
The rebel thrones, but greater rage, to see 
Thus foil'd their mightiest : ours joy filled, and shout, 200 
Presage of victory, and fierce desire 
Of battle : whereat, Michael bid sound 
The archangel trumpet; through the vast of Heaven 
It sounded, and the faithful armies rung 
Hosannah to the Highest : nor stood at gaze 205 

The adverse legions, nor less hideous join'd 
The horrid shock. Now storming fury rose, 
And clamour, such as heard in Heaven till now 
Was never ; arms, on armour clashing, bray'd 
Horrible discord, and the madding wheels '210 

Of brazen chariots rag'd ; dire was the noise 
Of conflict ; overhead, the dismal hiss 
Of fiery darts in flaming vollies flew, 
And flying, vaulted either host with fire. 
So under fiery cope together, rush'd 215 

Both battles main, with ruinous assault, 
And inextinguishable rage ; all Heaven 
Resounded, and had earth been then, all earth 
Had to her centre shook. What wonder? when 
Millions of fierce encountering angels fought 220 

On either side, the least of whom could wield 
These elements, and arm him with the force 
Of all their regions : how much more of power, 
Army against army numberless, to raise 



136 PARADISE LOST. 

Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb, 225 

Though not destroy, their happy native seat ; 
Had not the Eternal King, omnipotent, 
From the strong hold of Heaven high, over-rul'd 
And limited their might ; though number'd such, 
As each divided legion might have seem'd, 230 

A numerous host ; in strength, each armed hand 
A legion ; led in fight, yet leader seem'd, 
Each warrior single, as in chief; expert 
When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway 
Of battle; open when, and when to close 235 

The ridges of grim war ; no thought of flight, 
None of retreat, no unbecoming deed 
That argued fear ; each on himself rely'd 
As only in his arm the moment lay 
Of victory. Deeds of eternal fame 240 

Were done, but infinite ; for wide was spread 
That war, & various ; sometimes on firm ground, 
A standing fight, then soaring on main wing, 
Tormented all the air ; all air seem'd then 
Conflicting fire ; long time in even scale 245 

The battle hung ; till Satan, who that day 
Prodigious power had shown, and met in arms 
No equal, ranging through the dire attack 
Of fighting seraphim confus'd, at length 
Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and fell'd 250 

Squadrons at once ; with huge two-handed sway 
Brandish'd aloft, the horrid edge came down, 
Wide wasting ; such destruction to withstand 
He hasted, and oppos'd the rocky orb 
Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, 255 

A vast circumference : at his approach 
The great arch-angel, from his warlike toil 
Surceased, and glad, as hoping here to end 
Intestine war in Heaven, the arch-foe subdu'd, 
Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hostile frown, 260 

And visage all inflam'd, first thus began : 
" 'Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, 
Uunam'd in Heaven, now plenteous, as thou seest 
These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all, 
Though heaviest by just measure on thyself, 265 

And thy adherents ; how hast thou distuib'd 
Heaven's blessed peace, and into nature brought 
Misery, uncreated till the crime 
Of thy rebellion? how hast thou instill'd 
Thy malice into thousands, once upright 270 

And faithful, now prov'd false ? But think not here 



PARADISE LOST. 



137 



To trouble holy rest ; Heaven casxs thee out 

From all her confines. Heaven, the seat of bliss, 

Brooks not the works of violence and war. 

Hence then, and evil go with thee along, 275 

Thy offspring, to the place of evil, Hell, 

Thou and thy wicked crew ; there mingle broils, 

Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom, 

Or some more sudden vengeance wing'd from God, 

Precipitate thee with augmented pain.' 280 

li So spake the prince of angels ; to whom thus 
The adversary. * Nor think thou, with wind 
Of airy threats, to awe whom yet with deeds 
Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these 
To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise 285 

Unvanquish'd, easier to transact with me 
That thou shouldst hope, imperious, & with threats 
To chase me hence ? err not, that so shall end 
The strife, which thou call'st evil, but we style 
The strife of glory; which we mean to win, 290 

Or turn this Heaven itself into the Hell 
Thou fablest ; here however to dwell free, 
If not to reign : meanwhile thy utmost force, 
And join him named Almighty to thy aid, 
I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh.' 295 

"They ended parle, and both address'd for fight 
Unspeakable ; for who, though with the tongue 
Of angels, can relate, or, to what things 
Liken, on earth conspicuous, that may lift 
Human imagination to such highth 300 

Of Godlike power ? for likest Gods they seem'd, 
Stood they or moved ; in stature, motion, arms, 
Fit to decide the empire of great Heaven. 
Now waved their fiery swords, and in the air 
Made horrid circles ; two broad suns their shields 305 

Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood 
In horror : from each hand, with speed retired, 
Where erst was thickest fight, the angelic throng, 
And left large field, unsafe within the wind 
Of such commotion ; such as, to set forth 310 

Great things by small, if nature's concord broke, 
Among the constellations war were sprung, 
Two planets, rushing from aspect malign 
Of fiercest opposition, in mid-sky 

Should combat, & their jarring spheres confound. 3 1 5 

Together both, with next to almighty arm 
Uplifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd, 
that might determine and not need repeat 



1^8 PARADISE LOST. 

.As not of power at once ; nor odds appear'd 

In might or swift prevention : but the sword 320 

Of Michael, from the armoury of God, 

Was given him, temper'd so, that neither keen 

Nor solid might resist that edge : it met 

The sword of Satan with steep force to smite 

Descending, and in half cut sheer ; nor stay'd, 325 

But with swift wheel reverse, deep entering, shared, 

All his right side. Then Satan first knew pain, 

And writhed him to and fro convolved ; so sore 

The grinding sword, with discontinuous wound, 

Pass'd through him : but the ethereal substance clos'd, 330 

Not long divisible ; and, from the gash, 

A stream of nectarous humour issuing flow'd 

Sanguine, such as celestial spirits may bleed, 

And all his armour stain'd, ere while so bright. 

Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run 335 

By angels many and strong, who interposed 

Defence ; while others bore him on their shields, 

Back to his chariot, where it stood retired, 

From off the files of war : there they him laid, 

Gnashing for anguish, and despitej and shame, 340 

To find himself not matchless, and his pride 

Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath 

His confidence to equal God in power. 

Yet soon he heal'd ; for spirits, that live throughout 

Vital in every part, not as frail man, 345 

In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins, 

Cannot but by annihilating die ; 

Nor, in their liquid . texture mortal wound 

Receive, no more than can the fluid air : 

All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, 350 

All intellect, all sense ; and as they please, 

They limb themselves, and colour, shape or size 

Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare. 

" Meanwhile, in other parts, like deeds deserv'd 
Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought, 355 

And, with fierce ensigns, pierced the deep array 
Of Moloch, furious king ; who him defy'd, 
And at his chariot-wheels, to drag him bound 
Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of Heaven 
Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous ; but anon, 360 

Down cloven to the waist, with shatter'd arms, 
And uncouth pain, fled bellowing. On each wing 
Uriel and Raphael, his -vaunting foe, 
Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd 
Vanquish'd Adramalech, and Asmadai ; 3 ^ 



PARADISE LOST. 



!39 



Two potent thrones, that to be less than gods 

Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight, 

Mangled with ghastly wounds, through plate and mail* 

Nor stood unmindful Abdiel, to annoy 

The atheist crew ; but with redoubled blow, 370 

Ariel and Arioch, and the violence 

Of Ramiel, scorch'd and blasted, overthrew. 

I might relate of thousands, and their names 

Eternize here on earth ; but those elect 

Angels, contented with their fame in Heaven 375 

Seek not the praise of men : the other sort, 

In might though Wondrous, and in acts of war, 

Nor of renown less eager, yet by doom 

Cancel'd from Heaven and sacred memory, 

Nameless, in dark oblivion let them dwell. 380 

For strength, from truth divided and from just, 

Illaudable, nought merits but dispraise 

And ignominy; yet to glory aspires, 

Vain glorious, and through infamy seeks fame : 

Therefore, eternal silence be their doom. 3S5 

"And now their mightiest quell'd, the battle swerv'd, 
With many an inroad gored ; deformed rout 
Enter'd, and foul disorder : all the ground 
With shiver 'd armour strown, and, on a heap, 
Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd, 390 

And fiery foaming steeds ; what stood, recoil'd 
O'erwearied, through the faint Satanic host, 
Defensive scarce, or, with pale fear surpris'd, 
Then first with fear surprised, and sense of pain, 
Fled ignominious ; to such evil brought 395 

By sin of disobedience, till that hour 
Not liable to fear, or flight, or pain. 
Far otherwise the inviolable saints, 
In cubic phalanx firm, advanced entire, 
Invulnerable, impenetrably arm'd : 400 

Such high advantages their innocence 
Gave them above their foes ; not to have sinn'd, 
Not to have disobey 'd ; in fight they stood 
Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd 
By wound, though from their place by violence moved. 405 

" Now night her course began, and over Heaven 
Inducing darkness, grateful truce imposed, 
And silence, on the odious din of war : 
Under her cloudy covert both retired, 
Victor and vanquish'd :{on the foughten field 410 

Michael and his angels, prevalent, 
Encamping, placed in guard their watches round, 



'40 PARADISE LOST. 

Cherubic waving fires : on the other part, 

Satan with his rebellious disappear 'd, 

Far in the dark dislodg'd : and void of rest, 415 

His potentates, to council call'd by night, 

And in the midst, thus undismay'd began. 

" 'O now in danger try'd, now known in arms 
Not to be overpower'd, companions dear, 
Found worthy, not of liberty alone, 420 

Too mean pretence, but what we more affect, 
Honour, dominion, glory, and renown ; 
Who have sustain'd one day in doubtful fight, 
And if one day, why not eternal days? 
What Heaven's Lord hath powerfullest to send 425 

Against us, from about his throne, and judged 
Sufficient to subdue us to his will ; 
But proves not so : then fallible, it seems, 
Of future we may deem him, though till now 
Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm'd, 430 

Some disadvantage we endured, and pain, 
Till now not known, but known, as soon contemn'd, 
Since now, we find this our empyreal form 
Incapable of mortal injury, 

Imperishable ; and though pierced with wound, 435 

Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. 
Of evil then so small, as easy think 
The remedy ; perhaps more valid arms, 
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, 
May serve to better us, and worse our foes, 440 

Or equal what between us made the odds, 
In nature none : if other hidden cause 
Left them superior, while we can preserve 
Unhurt our minds and understanding sound, 
Due search and consultation will disclose. 445 

" He sat ; and in the assembly next upstood 
Nisroch, of principalities the prime; 
As one he stood escaped from cruel fight, 
Sore toil'd, his riven arms to havoc hewn, 
And cloudy in aspect, thus answ'ring spake. 450 

" ' Deliverer from new lords, leader to free 
Enjoyment of our right as gods ; yet hard 
For gods, and too unequal work we find, 
Against unequal arms to fight in pain, 
Against unpain'd, impassive ; from which evil 455 

Ruin must needs ensue : for what avails 
Valour or strength, though matchless, quell'd with pain 
Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands 
Of mightiest? Sense of pleasure we may well 



PARADISE LOST. 



141 



Spare out of life, perhaps, and not repine, 460 

But live content, which is the calmest life : 

But pain is perfect misery, the worst 

Of evils, and excessive, overturns 

All patience. He who therefore can invent, 

With what more forcible we may offend 465 

Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm 

Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves 

No less, than for deliverance what we owe.' 

"Whereto, with look composed, Satan replied. 
' Not uninvented, that, which thou aright 470 

Believest so main to our success, I bring. 
Which of us, who beholds the bright surface 
Of this ethereous mould, whereon we stand, 
This continent of spacious Heaven, adorn'd 
With plant, fruit, flower ambrosial, gems, and gold ; 475 
Whose eye so superficially surveys 
These things, as not to mind from whence they grow, 
Deep under ground, materials dark and crude, 
Of spirituous and fiery spume, till touch'd 
With Heaven's ray, and temper'd, they shoot forth 480 

So beauteous, opening to the ambient light ? 
These, in their dark nativity the deep, 
Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame ; 
Which into hollow engines, long and round, 
Thick-ramm'd, at the other bore, with touch of fire 485 

Dilated, and infuriate, shall send forth 
From far, with thundering noise among our foes, 
Such implements of mischief, as shall dash 
To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands 
Adverse ; that they shall fear we have disarmed 490 

The thunderer of his only dreaded bolt. 
Nor long shall be our labour ; yet ere dawn, 
Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive ; 
Abandon fear ; to strength and counsel join'd, 
Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd/ 495 

"He ended; and his words their drooping cheer 
Enlighten'd, and their languish'd hope reviv'd. 
The invention all admir'd, and each, how he 
To be the inventor miss'd ; so easy it seem'd, 
Once found, which, yet unfound, most would have 500 
Impossible : yet haply, of thy race, [thought 

In future days, if malice should abound, 
Some one, intent on mischief, or inspired 
With devilish machination, might devise 
Like instrument, to plague the sons of men 505 

For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. 



142 



PARADISE LOST. 



Forthwith from council to the work they flew ; 

None arguing stood ; innumerable hands 

Were ready ; in a moment up they turned 

Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath 510 

The originals of nature, in their crude 

Conception ; sulphurous and nitrous foam 

They found, they mingled, and with subtle art 

Concocted and adusted, they reduced 

To blackest grain, and into store convey 'd : 515 

Part hidden veins digg'd up ; nor hath this earth 

Entrails unlike, of mineral and stone, 

Whereof to found their engines, and their balls 

Of missive ruin ; part incentive reed 

Provide, pernicious, with one touch to fire. 520 

So all, ere day-spring, under conscious night, 

Secret they finish'd, and in order set, 

With silent circumspection unespied. 

" Now when fair morn, orient in Heaven, appear'd 
Up rose the victor angels, and to arms 525 

The matin trumpet sung : in arms they stood 
Of golden panoply, refulgent host, 
Soon banded ; others, from the dawning hills, 
Look'd round, and scouts each coast light-armed scour, 
Each quarter, to descry the distant foe, 530 

Where lodged, or whither fled, or if for fight, 
In motion, or in halt : him soon they met, 
Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow, 
But firm battalion. Back with speediest sail, 
Zophiel, of cherubim the swiftest wing, 535 

Came flying, and, in mid air, aloud thus cried. 

" ' Arm, warriors, arm for fight ; the foe at hand, 
Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit ; 
This day, fear not his flight ; so thick a cloud 
He comes; and settled in his face, I see 540 

Sad resolution and secure. Let each 
His adamantine coat gird well, and each 
Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield, 
Borne even or high ; for this day will pour down, 
If I conjecture ought, no drizzling shower, 3 15 

But rattling storm of arrows, barb'd with fire.' 

" So warn'dhe them, aware themselves ; and soon 
In order, quit of all impediment, 
Instant without disturb, they took alarm, 
And onward move embattled : when behold, 550 

Not distant far, with heavy pace, the foe 
Approaching gross and huge, in hollow cube, 
Training his devilish enginery, impailed 



PAUADISE LOST. 143 

On every side, with shadowy squadrons deep, 

To hide the fraud. At interview both stood 555 

A while ; but suddenly at head appear'd 

Satan, and thus was heard commanding- loud. 

" ' Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold; 
That all may see who hate us, how we seek 
Peace and composure, and, with open breast, 560 

Stand ready to receive them, if they like 
Our overture, and turn not back perverse : 
But that I doubt : however, witness Heaven, 
Heaven witness thou anon, while we discharge 
Freely our part; ye who appointed stand, 565 

Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch 
What we propound, and loud, that all may hear.* 

" So scoffing, in ambiguous words, he scarce 
Had ended, when to right and left the front 
Divided, and to either flank retir'd : 570 

Which to our eyes discover'd, new and strange, 
A triple-mounted row of pillars, laid 
On wheels, for like to pillars most they seem'd, 
Or hollow'd bodies, made of oak or fir, 
With branches lopt, in wood or mountain fell'd ; 575 

Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths, 
With hideous orifice, gaped on us wide, 
Portending hollow truce : at each behind 
A seraph stood, and in his hand a reed 
Stood waving, tipt with fire ; while we suspense 580 

Collected stood, within our thoughts amus'd ; 
Not long, for sudden all at once their reeds 
Put forth and to a narrow vent applied 
With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame, 
But soon obscured with smoke, all Heaven appeared, 585 
From those deep-throated engines belch'd, whose roar 
Embowell'd with outrageous noise the air, 
And all her entrails tore ; disgorging foul 
Their devilish glut, chain'd thunderbolts, and hail 
Of iron globes; which on the victor host 590 

Levell'd, with such impetuous fury smote, 
That whom they hit, none on their feet might stand, 
Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell 
By thousands, angel on arch-angel rolFd ; 
The sooner for their arms : unarm' d thev might 595 

Have easily, as spirits, evaded swift 
By quick contraction or remove ; but now 
Foul dissipation follow'd, and forc'd rout ; 
Nor served it to relax their serried files. 
What should they do ? if on they rush'd, repulse 600 



l*^fc PARADISE LOST. 

Repeated, and indecent overthrow 

Doubled, would render them yet more despis'd, 

And to their foes a laughter; for in view 

Stood rank'd of seraphim another row, 

In posture to displode their second tire 605 

Of thunder: back defeated to return 

They worse abhorr'd. Satan beheld their plight, 

And to his mates thus in derision call'd. 

" ' O friends, why come not on these victors proud? 
Erewhile they fierce were coming ; and when we, 610 

To entertain them fair, with open front 
And breast, what could we more? propounded terms 
Of composition, straight they chang'd their minds, 
Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, 
As they would dance ; yet, for a dance, they seem'd 615 

Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps 
For joy of ofFer'd peace : but I suppose, 
If our proposals once again were heard, 
We should compel them to a quick result." 

" To whom thus Belial, in like gamesome mood. 620 
' Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight, 
Of hard contents, and full of force urged home, 
Such, as we might perceive amused them all, 
And stumbled many ; who receives them right, 
Had need, from head to foot, well understand : 625 

Not understood, this gift they have besides, 
They show us when our foes walk not upright.' 

* l So they, among themselves, in pleasant vein, 
Stood scoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts, beyond 
All doubt of victory; eternal Might 630 

To match with their inventions, they presumed 
So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn, 
And all his host derided, while they stood 
A while in trouble : but they stood not long. 
Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms, 635 
Against such hellish mischief, fit to oppose. 
Forthwith, behold the excellence, the power, 
Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd, 
Their arms away they threw; and to the hills, 
For earth hath this variety from Heaven, 640 

Of pleasure situate in hill and dale, 
Light as the lightning-glimpse they ran, they flew ; 
From their foundations loosening to and fro, 
They pluck'd the seated hills, with all their load, 
Rocks, waters, woods; and, by the shaggy tops *>4o 

Uplifting, bore them in their hands. Amaze, 
Be sure, and terror, seiz'd the rebel host, 



PARADISE LOST. 



145 



When coming towards them, so dread, they saw 

The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd j 

Till, on those cursed engines triple-row, 650 

They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence, 

Under the weight of mountains, buried deep j 

Themselves invaded next, and on their heads, 

Main promotories flung, which in the air 

Came shadowing, and oppress'd whole legions arm'd. 655 

Their armour help'd their harm, crush'd in, bruis'd, 

Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain 

Implacable, and many a dolorous groan, 

Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind 

Out of such prison ; though spirits of purest light, 660 

Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. 

The rest, in imitation, to like arms 

Betook them, and the neighbouring hills uptore ; 

So hills amid the air encounter' d hills, 

Hurl'd to and fro, with jamlation dire, 665 

That under ground they fought, in dismal shade j 

Infernal noise! War seem'd a civil game 

To this uproar j horrid confusion, heap'd 

Upon confusion, rose : and now all Heaven 

Had gone to wrack, with ruin overspread, 670 

Had not the almighty Father, where he sits 

Shrmed in his sanctuary of Heaven secure, 

Cr n suiting on the sum of things, foreseen 

T.iis tumult, and permitted all, advised: 

1'hat his great purpose he might so fulfil, 675 

To honour his anointed Son, avenged 

Upon his enemies, and to declare 

All power on him transfer' d : whence to his Son, 

The assessor of his throne, he thus began. 

" ' Effulgence of my glory, Son belov'd, 680 

Son, in whose face invisible, is beheld, 
Visibly, what by Deity I am, 
And in whose hand what by decree I do, 
Second Omnipotence j two days are past, 
Two days, as we compute the days of Heaven, 685 

Since Michael and his powers went forth to tame 
These disobedient : sore hath been their fight, 
As likeliest was, when two such foes met arm'd ; 
For to themselves I left them ; and thou know'st, 
Equal in their creation they were form'd 690 

Save what sin hath impair'd, which yet hath wrought 
Insensibly, for I suspend their doom ; 
Whence, in perpetual fight, they needs must last 
Endless, and no solution will be found. 



146 PARADISE LOST. 

War, wearied, hath perform'd what war can do, 695 

And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins, 

With mountains as with weapons arm'd, which makes 

Wild work in Heaven, and dang'rous to the main. 

Two days are therefore past, the third is thine ; 

For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far 700 

Have suffer'd, that the glory may be thine 

Of ending this great war, since none but thou 

Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace 

Immense I have transfused, that all may know 

In Heaven and Hell, thy power above compare ; 705 

And this perverse commotion governed thus, 

To manifest thee worthiest to be Heir, 

Of all things to be Heir, and to be King 

By sacred unction, thy deserved right. 

Go then, thou Mightiest, in thy Father's might, 710 

Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels 

That shake Heaven's basis, bring forth all my war, 

My bow and thunder, my almighty arms 

Gird on, and sword upon thy puissant thigh; 

Pursue these sons of darkness, drive them out 715 

From all Heaven's bounds, into the utter deep : 

There let them learn, as likes them, to despise 

God, and Messiah, his anointed King.' 

" He said ; and on his Son, with rays direct, 
Shone full : he, all his Father full express'd, 720 

Ineffably into his face receiv'd ; 
And thus, the filial Godhead answering spake : 

" 'O Father, O Supreme of heavenly thrones, 
First, highest, holiest, best, thou always seek'st 
To glorify thy Son, I always thee, 725^ 

As is most just ; this I my glory account, 
My exaltation, and my whole delight, 
That thou, in me well pleased, declarest thy will 
FulfnTd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. 
Sceptre and power, thy giving, I assume, 730 

And gladlier shall resign, when in the end 
Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee 
For ever, and in me all whom thou lovest : 
But whom thou hatest, I hate, and can put on 
Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, 735 

Image of thee in all things ; and shall soon, 
Arm'd with thy might, rid Heaven of these rebelPd, 
To their prepar'd ill mansion driven down, 
To chains of darkness, and the undying worm, 
That from thy just obedience could revolt, 740 

Whom to obey is happiness entire. 



PARADISE LOST. 147 

Then snail thy saints unmix 'd, & from the impure 

Far separate, circling thy holy mount, 

Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing, 

Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief.' 7 45 

" So said, he, o'er his sceptre bowing, rose 
From the right hand of glory, where he sat; 
And the third sacred morn began to shine, 
Dawning through Heaven. Forth rush'd with whirlwind sound 
The chariot of paternal Deity, 750 

Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, 
Itself instinct with Spirit, but convoy'd 
By four cherubic shapes ; four faces each 
Had wondrous ; as with stars their bodies all 
And wings were set with eyes, with eyes the wheels 755 
Of beryl, and careering fires between ; 
Over their heads a crystal firmament, 
Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure 
Amber, and colours of the showery arch, 
He, in celestial panoply all arm'd, 760 

Of radiant urim, work divinely wrought, 
Ascended; at his right hand victory 
Sat eagle-wing'd ; beside him hung his bow 
And quiver, with three-bolted thunder stored, 
And from about him, fierce effusion roll'd 765 

Of smoke, and bickering flame, and sparkles dire. 
Attended with ten thousand thousand saints, 
He onward came, far off his coming shone ; 
And twenty thousand, I their number heard, 
Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen 770 

He, on the wings of cherub, rode sublime 
On the crystalline sky, in sapphire throned, 
Illustrious far and wide, but by his own 
First seen ; them unexpected joy surprised, 
When the great ensign of Messiah blazed, 775 

Aloft by angels borne, his sign in Heaven ; 
Under whose conduct Michael soon reduced 
His army, circumfused on either wing, 
Under their head embodied all in one. 
Before him, Power Divine his way prepared ; 780 

At his command the uprooted hills retired, 
Each to his place; they heard his voice, and went 
Obsequious : Heaven his wonted face renew'd, 
And with fresh flowerets hill and valley smiled. 
This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured, 785 

And, to rebellious fight, rallied their powers 
Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. 
In heavenly spirits could such perverseness dwell? 



148 PARADISE LOST. 

But to convince the proud what signs avail, 

Or wonders move the obdurate to relent? 7,90 

They, harden'd more by what might most reclaim, 

Grieving to see his glory, at the sight 

Took envy : and, aspiring to his highth, 

Stood re-embattled fierce, by force or fraud 

Weening to prosper, and at length prevail 795 

Against God and Messiah, or to fall 

In universal ruin lost; and now 

To final battle drew, disdaining flight, 

Or faint retreat ; when the great Son of God 

To all his host, on either hand thus spake. 800 

" * Stand still in bright array, ye saints ; here stand 
Ye angels arm'd ; this day from battle rest : 
Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God 
Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause, 
And as ye have received, so have ye done 805 

Invincibly : but of this cursed crew, 
The punishment to other hand belongs; 
Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints : 
Number to this day's work is not ordain'd, 
Nor multitude ; stand only and behold 810 

God's indignation, on these godless, pour'd 
By me ; not you, but me they have despised, 
Yet envied ; against me is all their rage, 
Because the Father to whom, in Heaven supreme, 
Kingdom and power and glory appertains, 815 

Hath honour'd me according to his will. 
Therefore, to me their doom he hath assign 'd ; 
That they may have their wish, to try with me 
In battle, which the stronger proves, they all, 
Or I alone against them ; since by strength 820 

They measure all, of other excellence 
Not emulous, nor care who them excels ; 
Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe.' 

" So spake the Son, and into terror changed 
His countenance, too severe to be behel i, 825 

And full of wrath bent on his enemies. 
At once the four spread out their starry wings, 
With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs 
Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the sound 
Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host. 830 

He on his impious foes right onward drove, 
Gloomy as night; under his burning wheels 
The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, 
All but the throne itself of God. Full soon 
Among them he arriv'd, in his right hand 835 



PARADISE LOST. 149 

Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent 

Before him, such as in their souls infix'd 

Plagues ; they astonish'd, all resistance lost, 

All courage ; down their idle weapons dropp'd : 

O'er shields, and helms, and helmed heads he rode, 840 

Of thrones and mighty seraphim prostrate, 

That wish'd the mountains now might be again 

Thrown on them, as a shelter from his ire. 

Nor less on either side tempestuous fell 

His arrows, from the fourfold-visag'd four, 845 

Distinct with eyes, and, from the living wheels, 

Distinct alike with multitude of eyes ; 

One spirit in them ruled, and every eye 

Glared lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire 

Among the accursed, that wither'd all their strength. 850 

And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, 

Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, falPn. 

Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check 'd 

His thunder in mid volley ; for he meant 

Not to destroy, but root them out of Heaven : 855 

The overthrown he raised, and, as a herd 

Of goats, or timorous flock together throng'd, 

Drove them before him, thunder-struck, pursued 

With terrors and with furies, to the bounds 

And crystal wall of Heaven ; which opening wide, 860 

Roll'd inward, and a spacious gap disclos'd, 

Into the wasteful deep. The monstrous sight 

Struck them with horror backward, but far worse 

Urged them behind ; headlong themselves they threw 

Down from the verge of Heaven ; eternal wrath 865 

Burnt after them, to the bottomless pit. 

" Hell heard the unsufferable noise, Hell saw 
Heaven running from Heaven, and would have fled, 
Affrighted ; but strict fate had cast too deep 
Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound. 870 

Nine days they fell : confounded Chaos roar'd, 
And felt tenfold confusion in their fall, 
Through his wild anarchy, so huge rout 
Encumber' d him with ruin. Hell at last, 
Yawning, received them whole, and on them clos'd : 875 
Hell, their fit habitation, fraught with fire 
Unquenchable, the house of woe and pain. 
Disburden'd Heaven rejoiced ; and soon repair'd 
Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. 
Sole victor, from the expulsion of his foes 880 

Messiah his triumphant chariot turn'd. 
To meet him all his saints, who silent stood, 



150 PARADISE LOST. 

Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts, 

With jubilee advanc'd ; and as they went, 

Shaded with branching palm, each order bright 885 

Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, 

Son, Heir and Lord, to him dominion given, 

Worthiest to reign he celebrated rode 

Triumphant through mid Heaven, into the courts 

And temple of his mighty Father, throned 890 

On high ; who into glory him received, 

Where now he sits, at the right hand of bliss. 

"Thus, measuring things in Heaven by things on earth, 
At thy request, and that thou may'st beware, 
By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd, 895 

What might have else to human race been hid, 
The discord which befel, and war in Heaven, 
Among the angelic powers, and the deep fall 
Of those, too high aspiring, who rebell'd 
With Satan ; he, who envies now thy state, 900 

Who now is plotting, how he may seduce 
Thee also from obedience, that with him 
Bereaved of happiness, thou may'st partake 
His punishment, eternal misery; 

Which would be all his solace and revenge, 905 

As a despite done against the Most High, 
Thee once to gain companion of his woe. 
But listen not to his temptations, warn 
Thy weaker : let it profit thee to have heard, 
By terrible example, the reward 910 

Of disobedience ; firm they might have stood, 
Yet fell ; remember, and fear to transgress. i 



THE END OK COOK VI. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK VII. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Raphael, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore this 
world was first created; that God, after the expelling of Satan and 
his Angels out of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create another 
world, and other creatures to dwell therein ; sends his Son with 
glory and attendance of Angels to perform the work of creation in 
six days ; the Angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, 
and his re-ascension into Heaven. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK VII. 



Descend from Heaven, Urania, by that name 
If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine 
Following, above the Olympian hill I soar, 
Above the flight of Pegasean wing. 
The meaning, not the name, I call : for thou 5 

Nor of the muses nine, nor on the top 
Of old Olympus dwell'st, but, heavenly born, 
Before the hills appear'd, or fountain flow'd, 
Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse, 
Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play, 10 

In presence of the almighty Father, pleased 
With thy celestial song. Up led by thee, 
Into the Heaven of Heavens, I have presumed, 
An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air, 
Thy tempering : with like safety, guided down, 15 

Return me to my native element : 
Lest from this flying steed unrein'd, as once 
Bellerophon, though from a lower clime, 
Dismounted, on the Aleian field I fall, 
Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn. 20 

Half yet remains unsung ; but narrower bound 
Within the visible diurnal sphere : 
Standing on earth, not rapt above the pole, 
More safe I sing, with mortal voice, unchanged 
To hoarse or mute, though fall'n on evil days, 25 

On evil days though fall'n, and evil tongues ; 
In darkness, and with dangers compass'd round, 
And solitude; yet not alone, while thou 
Visit'st my slumbers nightly, or when morn 
Purples the east : still govern thou my song, 30 

Urania, and fit audience find, though few. 
But drive far off the barbarous dissonance 
Of Bacchus and the revellers, the race 
Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard 
In Rhodope, where woods and rocks had ears 35 

To rapture, till the savage clamour drown 'd 
Both harp and voice ; nor could the muse defend 



154 PARADISE LOST. 

Her son. So fail not thou, who thee implores ; 
For thou art heavenly, she an empty dream. 

Say goddess, what ensued when Raphael, 40 

The affable arch -angel, had forewaru'd 
Adam, by dire example, to beware 
Apostacy, by what befel in Heaven 
To those apostates, lest the like befall 
In Paradise to Adam or his race, 45 

Charged not to touch the interdicted tree, 
If they transgress, and slight that sole command, 
So easily obey'd, amid the choice 
Of all tastes else to please their appetite, 
Though wandering. He, with his consorted Eve, 50 

The story heard attentive, and was fill'd 
With admiration and deep muse, to hear 
Of things so high & strange, things to their though 
So unimaginable, as hate in Heaven, 
And war so near the peace of God in bliss, 55 

With such confusion : but the evil, soon 
Driven back, redounded as a flood on those 
From whom it sprung, impossible to mix 
With blessedness. Whence, Adam soon repeal'd 
The doubts that in his heart arose : and now 60 

Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know 
What nearer might concern him, how this world 
Of Heaven and Earth, conspicuous, first began ; 
When, and whereof created, for what cause, 
What within Eden, or without, was done 65 

Before his memory, as one whose drought 
Yet scarce allay'd, still eyes the current stream, 
Whose liquid murmur heard, new thirst excites, 
Proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest. 

" Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70 

Far differing from this world, thou hast reveal'd, 
Divine interpreter, by favour sent, 
Down from the empyrean, to forewarn 
Us timely, of what might else have been our loss, 
Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach 75 

For which, to the Infinitely Good, we owe 
Immortal thanks, and his admonishment 
Receive, with solemn purpose to observe 
Immutably his sovereign will, the end 
Of what we are. But since thou hast vouchsafed 80 

Gently for our instruction, to impart 
Things above earthly thought, and yet concert! \ 9 
Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seem'd, 
Deign to descend now lower, and relate 



PARADISE LOST. 155 

What may no less perhaps avail us known ; 85 

How first began this Heaven, which we behold 

Distant so high, with moving fires adorn 'd, 

Innumerable, and this which yields or fills 

All space, the ambient air, wide interfused, 

Embracing round this florid earth : what cause 90 

Moved the Creator, in his holy rest, 

Through all eternity so late to build 

In Chaos, and the work begun, how soon 

Absolved; if unforbid thou may 'st unfold, 

What we, not to explore the secrets, ask 95 

Of his eternal empire, but the more 

To magnify his works, the more we know. 

And the great light of day yet wants to run 

Much of his race, though steep; suspense in Heaven, 

Held by thy voice, thy potent voice, he hears, 100 

And longer will delay to hear thee tell 

His generation, and the rising birth 

Of nature from the unapparent deep : 

Or if the star of evening, and the moon, 

Haste to thy audience, night with her will bring 105 

Silence, and sleep, listening to thee, will watch ; 

Or we can bid his absence, till thy song 

End, and dismiss thee ere the morning shine. " 

Thus Adam his illustrious guest besought : 
And thus the Godlike angel answer'd, mild. 110 

" This also, thy request with caution ask'd, 
Obtain ; though, to recount Almighty works, 
What words or tongue of seraph can suffice, 
Or heart of man suffice to comprehend ? 
Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve 1L5 

To glorify the Maker, and infer 
Thee also happier, shall not be withheld 
Thy hearing ; such commission from above 
I have received, to answer thy desire 
Of knowledge, within bounds ; beyond, abstain 120 

To ask, nor let thine own invention hope 
Things not reveal'd, which the invisible King, 
Only Omniscient, hath suppress'd in night, 
To none communicable, in Earth or Heaven : 
Enough is left besides, to search and know. 125 

But knowledge is as food, and needs no less 
Her temperance over appetite, to know 
In measure, what the mind may well contain ; 
Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 
Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind, ISO 

" Know then, that after Lucifer from Heaven, 



156 PARADISE LOST. 

So call him, brighter once amidst the host 

Of angels, than that star the stars among, 

Fell with his flaming legions, through the deep, 

into his place, and the great Son return'd 135 

Victorious with his saints ; the omnipotent 

Eternal Father from his throne beheld 

Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake. 

" * At least our envious foe hath fail'd, who though 
All like himself rebellious, by whose aid 140 

This inaccessible high strength, the seat 
Of Deity supreme, us dispossess'd, 
He trusted to have seized ; and into fraud 
Drew many, whom their place knows here no more : 
Yet far the greater part have kept, I see, 145 

Their station ; Heaven, yet populous, retains 
Number sufficient to possess her realms, 
Though wide, and this high temple to frequent, 
With ministeries due, and solemn rites. 
But lest his heart exalt him, in the harm 150 

Already done, to have dispeopled Heaven, 
My damage fondly deem'd, I can repair 
That detriment, if such it be, to lose 
Self-lost ; and in a moment will create 
Another world, out of one man a race 155 

Of men innumerable, there to dwell, 
Not here, till, by degrees of merit raised, 
They open to themselves at length the way 
Up hither, under long obedience tried ; 
And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth, 
One kingdom, joy and union without end. 
Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye powers of Heaven, 
And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee 
This I perform ; speak thou, and be it done : 
My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee 165 

I send along ; ride forth and bid the deep 
Within appointed bounds, be Heaven and Earth ; 
Boundless the deep, because I am who fill 
Infinitude, nor vacuous the space. 

Though I uncircumscribed myself retire, 170 

And put not forth my goodness, which is free 
To act or not, necessity and chance 
Approach not me, and what I -will is fate.' 

" So spake the Almighty, and to what he spake, 
His word, the filial Godhead, gave effect. ] 75 

Immediate are the acts of God, more swift 
Than time or motion, but, to human ears, 
Cannot without process of speech be told, 



PARADISE LOST. 



157 



So told, as earthly notion can receive. 

Great triumph and rejoicing was in Heaven, 1 80 

When such was heard declared the Almighty's will ; 

Glory they sung to the Most High, good will 

To future men, and in their dwellings peace : 

Glory to him, whose just avenging ire 

Had duven out the ungodly from his sight, J85 

And the habitations of the just; to him 

Giory and praise, whose wisdom had ordain'd 

Good out of evil to create, instead 

Of spirits malign, a better race to bring 

Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 190 

His good to worlds and ages infinite. 

" So sang the hierarchies : meanwhile, the Son 
On his great expedition now appear'd, 
Girt with omnipotence, with radiance crown'd 
Of majesty divine; sapience and love 195 

Immense, and all his Father in him shone. 
About his chariot numberless were pour'd, 
Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones, 
And virtues, winged spirits, and chariots wing'd 
From th' armoury of God ; where stand of old 200 

Myriads, between two brazen mountains lodged, 
Against a solemn day, harness'd at hand, 
Celestial equipage; and now came forth 
Spontaneous, for within them spirit lived, 
Attendant on their Lord : Heaven open'd wide 205 

Her ever-during gates, harmonious sound, 
On golden ninges moving, to let forth 
The King of Glory, in his powerful Word 
And Spirit coming, to create new worlds. 
On heavenly ground they stood, & from the shore 210 

They view'd the vast immeasurable abyss, 
Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild, 
Up from the bottom turn'd by furious winds, 
And surging waves, as mountains, to assault 
Heaven's highth, and with the centre mix the pole. 215 

" ' Silence, ye troubled waves ! & thou deep, peace . 
Said then the omnific Word, * your discord end. 
Nor stay'd, but on the wings of cherubim 
Uplifted, in paternal glory rode 

Far into Chaos, and the world unborn ; 220 

For Chaos heard his voice : him all his train 
Folio w'd in bright procession, to behold 
Creation, and the wonders of his might. 
Then stay'd the fervid wheels, & in his hand 
He took the golden compasses, prepared 225 



158 



PARADISE LOST. 



In God's eternal store, to circumscribe 

This universe, and all created things 

One foot he centred, and the other turn d 

Round, through the vast profundity obscure 

And said, ' Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds 230 

This be thy just circumference, O world.' 

Thus <God the heaven created, thus the earth. 

Matter unform'd and void : darkness profound 

Cover'd the abyss : but, on the watery calm, 

His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspread, 235 

4nd vital virtue infused, and vital warmth, 

Throughout the fluid mass, but downward purg'd 

The black tartareaus cold infernal dregs, 

Adverse to life : Aen founded, then conglobed 

Like things ta like, the rest to several place 240 

Departed, and between spun out the air, 

And earth, self-balanced, on her centre hung. 

" ' Let there be light,' said God ; & forthwith light 
Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, 
Sprung from the deep, and, from her native east, 245 

To journey through the airy gloom began, 
Sphered in a radiant cloud, for yet the sun 
Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle 
Sojourn'd the while. God saw the light was good ; 
And light from darkness, by the hemisphere 250 

Divided : light the day, and darkness night 
He named. Thus was the first day even and morn 
Nor pass'd uncelebrated, nor unsung, 
By the celestial choirs, when orient light 
Exhaling first from darkness they beheld ; 255 

Birth-day of Heaven and earth ; with joy and shout 
The hollow universal orb they fill'd, 
And touch'd their golden harps, & hymning, prais'd 
God and his works, Creator him they sung, 
Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 260 

" Again, God said, ' Let there be firmament 
Amid the waters, and let it divide 
The waters from the waters ;' and God made 
The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, 
Transparent, elemental air, diffused 265 

In circuit, to the uttermost convex 
Of this great round ; partition firm and sure, 
The waters underneath from those above 
Dividing : for as earth, so he the world, 
Built on circumfluous waters calm, in wide 270 

Crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule 
Of Chaos far removed, lest fierce extremes, 



PARADISE LOST. 



159 



Contiguous, might distemper the whole frame : 
And Heaven he nam'd the firmament : so even 
And morning chorus sung the second day. 275 

" The earth was form'd, but in the womb as yet 
Of waters, embryon immature involved, 
Appear'd not : over all the f&eje of earth 
Main ocean flow'd, not idle, but with warm 
Prolific humour softening all her globe, 280 

Fermented the great mother to conceive, 
Satiate with genial moisture, when God said, 
* Be gather'd now ye waters under Heaven 
Into one place, and let dry land appear/ 
Immediately the mountains huge appear, . 285 

Emergent, & their broad bare backs upkeavji,^ 
Into the clouds, their tops ascend the sky : 
So high as heav'd the tumid hills, so low 
Down sunk a hollow bottom, broad and deep, 
Capacious bed of waters : thither they 290 

Hastened with glad precipitance, uproll'd, 
As drops on dust conglobing from the dry ; 
Part rise in crystal wall, or ridge direct, 
For haste ; such flight the great command impress'd 
On the swift floods : as armies at the call 295 

Of trumpet, for of armies thou hast heard, 
Troop to their standard, so the watery throng, 
Wave rolling after wave, where way they found ; 
If steep, with torrent rapture, if through plain, 
Soft-ebbing ; nor withstood them rock or hill, 300 

But they, or under ground, or circuit wide 
With serpent error wandering, found their way, 
And on the washy ooze deep channels wore, 
Easy, ere God had bid the ground be dry ; 
All but within those banks, where rivers now 305 

Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. 
The dry land, earth, and the great receptacle 
Of congregated waters, he call'd seas : 
And saw that it was good ; & said, ' Let the earth 
Put forth the verdant grass, herb yielding seed, 310 

And fruit-tree yielding fruit, after her kind, 
Whose seed is in herself upon the earth.' 
He scarce had said, when the bare earth, till then 
Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorn'd, 
Brought forth the tender grass, whose verdure clad 315 

Her universal face with pleasant green ; 
Then herbs of every leaf, that sudden flower'd, 
Opening their various colours, and made gay 
Her bosom, smelling sweet : & these scarce blown, 



160 



PARADISE LOST. 



Forth flourish'd thick the clustering vine, forth crept 320 

The smelling gourd, up stood the corny reed, 

Embattled in her field ; and the humble shrub, 

And bush with frizzled hair implicit : last 

Rose, as in dance, the stately trees, and spread 

Theirblossoms : with high woods the hills werecrown'd, 325 

With tufts the valleys, and each fountain side, 

With borders long the rivers ; that earth now 

Seem'd like to Heaven, a seat where Gods might dwell, 

Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 

Her sacred shades : though God had yet not rain'd 330 

Upon the earth, and man to till the ground 

None was ; but from the earth a dewy mist 

Went up, and watered all the ground, and each, 

Plant of the field, which, ere it was in the earth, 

God made, and every herb, before it grew 335 

On the green stem ; God saw that it was good : 

So even and morn recorded the third day. 

"Again the Almighty spake, ' Let there be lights, 
High in the expanse of Heaven, to divide 
The day from night ; and let them be for signs, 340 

For seasons, and for days, and circling years ; 
And let them be for lights, as I ordain 
Their office, in the firmament of Heaven, 
To give light on the earth;' and it was so. 
And God made two great lights, great for their use 345 

To man ; the greater to have rule by day, 
The less by night, altern ; and made the stars, 
And set them in the firmament of Heaven, 
To illuminate the earth, and rule the day, 
In their vicissitude, and rule the night, 350 

And light from darkness to divide. God saw 
Surveying his great work, that it was good : 
For of celestial bodies first the sun, 
A mighty sphere, he framed, unlightsome first, 
Though of ethereal mould : then form'd the moon 355 

Globose, and every magnitude of stars, 
And sow'd with stars the Heaven, thick as a field : 
Of light, by far the greater part he took, 
Transplanted from her cloudy shrine, and placed 
In the sun's orb, made porous to receive 360 

And drink the liquid light, firm to retain 
Her gather'd beams, great palace now of light. 
Hither, as to their fountain, other stars 
Repairing, in their golden urns draw light, 
And hence the morning planet gilds her horns; 365 

By tincture, or reflection, tbe^ augment 



PARADISE LOST. 



161 



Their small peculiar, though from human sight 

So far remote, with diminution seen. 

First, in his east, the glorious lamp was seen, 

Regent of day, and all the horizon round 370 

Invested with bright rays, jocund to run 

His longitude through Heaven's high road ; the gray 

Dawn, and the Pleiades before him danc'd, 

Shedding sweet influence ::less bright the moon, 

But opposite, in levell'd west was set, 375 

His mirror, with full face, borrowing her light 

From him ; for other light she needed none, 

In that aspect, and still that distance keeps 

Till night ; then in the east her turn she shines 

Revolved on Heaven's great axle, and her reign 380 

With thousand lesser lights dividual holds, 

With thousand thousand stars, that then appear'd 

Spangling the hemisphere : then, first adorn'd 

With their bright luminaries that set and rose, 

Glad evening & glad morn crown'd the fourth day. 385 

" And God said, ' Let the waters generate 
Reptile, with spawn abundant, living soul ; 
And let fowl fly above the earth, with wings 
Display'd on the open firmament of Heaven.' 
And God created the great whales, and each 390 

Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously 
The waters generated by their kinds, 
And every bird of wing after his kind ; 
And saw that it was good, & bless'd them, saying, 
' Be fruitful, multiply, and in the seas, 395 

And lakes, and running streams, the waters fill ; 
And let the fowl be multiply'd, on the earth.' 
Forthwith the sounds seas, & each creek and bay, 
With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 
Of fish, that with their fins and shining scales -100 

Glide under the green wave, in sculls that oft 
Bank the mid-sea : part single, or with mate, 
Graze the sea-weed, their pasture, & through groves 
Of coral stray ; or sporting, with quick glance 
Show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold ; 405 

Or, in their pearly shells at ease, attend 
Moist nutriment; or under rocks, their food 
In jointed armour watch. On smooth the seal, 
And bended dolphins play : part, huge of bulk, 
Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, 410 

Tempest the ocean : there leviathan, 
Hugest of living creatures, on the deep, 
Stretch'd like a promontory, sleeps or swims, 



162 PARADISE LOST. 

And seems a moving land, and at his gills 

Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea, 415 

Meanwhile the tepid caves, and fens, and shores, 

Their brood as numerous hatch, from the egg, that, soon 

Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed 

Their callow young ; but feather'd soon, and fledge, 

They sumra'd their pens, & soaring the air sublime, 420 

With clang despised the ground, under a cloud 

In prospect; there the eagle and the stork, 

On cliffs and cedar tops their eyries build : 

Part loosely wing the region ; part more wise, 

In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way, 425 

Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 

Their airy caravan, high over seas 

Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing 

Easing their flight ; so steers the prudent crane 

Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; the air 430 

Floats, as they pass, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes : 

From branch to branch, the smaller birds with song 

Solaced the woods, and spread their painted wings, 

Till even, nor then the solemn nightingale 

Ceased warbling, but all night tuned her soft lays : 435 

Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed 

Their downy breast ; the swan, with arched neck 

Between her white wings mantling, proudly rows 

Her state with oary feet ; yet oft they quit 

The dank, and, rising on stiff pinions, tower 440 

The mid aerial sky : others on ground 

WahVd firm : the crested cock, whose clarion sounds 

The silent hours,(and the other, whose gay train 

Adorns him, colour'd with the florid hue 

Of rainbows and starry eyes.^) The waters thus 445 

With fish replenish'd, and the air with fowl, 

Evening and morn solemnized the fifth day. 

"The sixth, and of creation last, arose 
With evening harps and matin ; when God said, 
' Let the earth bring forth soul living in her kind, 450 

Cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the earth, 
Each in their kind.' The earth obey'd, and straight, 
Opening her fertile womb, teem'd at a birth 
Innumerous living creatures, perfect forms, 
Limb'd and full grown : out of the ground up rose, 455 

As from his lair, the wild beast, where he wons 
In forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den ; 
Among the trees in pairs they rose, they walk'd : 
The cattle in the fields and meadows green ; 
Those rare ind solitary, these in flocks 460 



PARADISE LOST. 163 

Pasturing at once, and in broad herds up sprung. 

The grassy clods now calved ; now half* appear 'd 

The tawny lion, pawing to get free 

His hinder parts, then springs, as broke from bonds, 

And rampant shakes his brinded mane; the ounce, 465 

The libbard, and the tiger, as the mole 

Rising, the crumbled earth above them threw 

In hillocks ; the swift stag, from under ground, 

Bore up his branching head : scarce from his mould 

Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheaved 470 

His vastness : fleeced the flocks, and bleating, rose 

As plants : ambiguous between sea and land, 

The river horse, and scaly crocodile. 

At once came forth whatever creeps the ground, 

Insect or worm : those waved their limber fans, 475 

For wings, and smallest lineaments exact, 

In all the liveries deck'd of summer's pride, 

With spots of gold and purple, azure and green • 

These, as a line, their long dimensions drew, 

Streaking the ground with sinnuous trace ; not all 480 

Minims of nature; some of serpent kind, 

Wonderous in length and corpulence ; involved 

Their snaky folds, and added wings. First crept 

The parsimonious emmet, provident 

Of future, in small room large heart enclosed, 485 

Pattern of just equality perhaps 

Hereafter, join'd in her popular tribes 

Of commonalty ; .sv. arming next appear'd 

The female bee, that feeds her husband drone 

Deliciously, and builds her waxen cells, 490 

With honey stored : The rest are numberless, 

And thou their natures know'st, and gav'st them names . 

Needless to thee repeated ; nor unknown 

The serpent, subtlest beast of all the field, 

O huge extent sometimes, with brazen eyes, 495 

And hairy mane terrific, though to thee 

Not noxious, but obedient at thy call. 

* Now Heaven in all her glory shone, and roll'd 
Her motions, as the great first Mover's hand 
First wheel'd their course ; Earth, in her rich attire 500 
Consummate lovely, smiled ; air, water, earth, 
By fowl, fish, beast, was flown, was swum, was walk'd, 
Frequent ; and of the sixth day yet remain'd. 
There wanted yet the master- work, the end 
Of all yet done ; a creature, who, not prone 505 

And brute, as other creatures, but endued 
With sanctity of reason, might erect 

at % 



164 PARADISE LOST. 

His stature, and upright, with front serene, 

Govern the rest, self-knowing, and from thence 

Magnanimous, to correspond with Heaven; 510 

But grateful, to acknowledge whence his good 

Descends ; thither, with heart, and voice, and eyes, 

Directed in devotion, to adore 

And worship God supreme, who made him chief 

Of all his works; therefore the Omnipotent 515 

Eternal Father, for where is not he 

Present? thus to his Son audibly spake. 

" ' Let us make now Man in our image, Man 
In our similitude ; and let them rule 
Over the fish, and fowl, of sea and air, 520 

Beast of the field, and over all the earth, 
And every creeping thing that creeps the ground.' 
This said, he form'd thee, Adam, thee, O Man ! 
Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed 
The breath of life ; in his own image he 525 

Created thee, in the image of God 
Express, and thou becamest a living soul. 
f Male he created thee ; but thy consort 
Female, for race •) then bless'd mankind, & said, 
Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth ; 530 

Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold, 
Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air, 
And every living thing that moves on the earth. 
Wherever thus created, for no place 
Is yet distinct by name. Thence, as thou know'st, 535 
He brought thee into this delicious grove, 
This garden, planted with the trees of God, 
Delectable both to behold and taste ; 
And freely all their pleasant fruit for food 
Gave thee; all sorts are here that all the earth yields 340 
Variety without end ; but of the tree, 
Which tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, 
Thou may'st not ; in the day thou eat'st, thou diest : 
Death is the penalty imposed; beware, 
And govern well thy appetite, lest Sin 545 

Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death. 

" Here finish'd he ; and all that he had made 
View'd, and behold all was entirely good ; 
So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day : 
Yet not till the Creator, from his work 550 

Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd, 
Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode, 
Thence to behold this new-created world, 
The addition of his empire, how it show'd 



PARADISE LOST 165 

Iu prospect from his throne, how good, how fair, 555 

Answering his great idea. Up he rode, 

Follow'd with acclamation, and the sound, 

Symphonious, of ten thousand harps, that tuned 

Angelic harmonies : the earth, the air 

Resounded ; thou remember'st, for thou heardst ; 560 

The Heavens, and all the constellations rung, 

The planets in their stations listening stood, 

While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. 

* Open, ye everlasting gates,' they sung ; 

Open, ye Heavens, your living doors ; let in 565 

The great Creator, from his work return 'd 
Magnificent — his six days' work, a world; 
Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign 
To visit oft the dwellings of just men. 
Delighted ; and with frequent intercourse, 570 

Thither will send his winged messengers, 
On errands of supernal grace.') So sung 
The glorious train ascending ; he through Heaven, 
That open'd wide her blazing portals, led 
To God's eternal house, direct the way, 575 

A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, 
And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear, 
Seen in the galaxy, that milky way, 
Which nightly, as a circling zone thou seest, 
Powder'd with stars. And now on earth the seventh 530 

Evening arose in Eden, for the sun 
Was set, and twilight from the east came on 
Forerunning night ; when, at the holy moun 
Of Heaven's high-seated top, the imperial throne 
Of Godhead, fix'd for ever firm and sure, 585 

The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down 
With his great Father ; for he also went 
Invisible, yet stay'd, such privilege 
Hath Omnipresence, and the work ordain'd, 
Author and end of all things ; and from work 590 

Now resting, bless'd and haflow'd the seventh day, 
As resting on that day from all his work ; 
But not in silence holy kept: the harp 
Had work, and rested not, the solemn pipe, 
And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, 595 

■ t All sounds on fret, by string or golden wire, 
Temper'd soft tunings, intermix'd with voice, 
Choral or unison : of incense clouds, 
Fuming from golden censers, hid the mount. 
Creation, and the six days' acts, they sung : 600 

" ' Great are thy works, Jehovah ! infinite 



166 PARADISE LOST. 

Thy pow'r! what thought can measure thee, or 
Relate thee ? greater now in thy return, 
Than from the giant angels ; thee that day 
Thy thunders magnified; but to create, 605 

Is greater than created to destroy. 
Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bouna 
Thy empire ? easily the proud attempt 
Of Spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, 
Thou hast repell'd, while impiously they thought 010 

Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw 
The number of thy worshippers. Who seeks 
To lessen thee, against his purpose, serves 
To manifest the more thy might : his evil 
Thou usest, & from thence createst more good. 615 

Witness this new-made world, another Heaven, 
From Heaven-gate not far, founded in view 
On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea; 
Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 
Numerous, and every star perhaps a world 620 

Of destined habitation ; but thou know'st 
Their seasons : among these the seat of men, 
Earth with her nether ocean circumfused, 
Their pleasant dwelling-place. Thrice happy men, 
And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanced, 625 

Created in his image, there to dwell, 
And worship him, and in reward to rule 
Over his works, on earth, in sea, or air, 
And multiply a race of worshippers, 
Holy and just : thrice happy, if they know 630 

Their happiness, and persevere upright.' 
" So sung they, and the empyrean rung 
With hallelujahs : Thus was sabbath kept. 
And thy request think now fulfill'd, that ask'd, 
How first this world and face of things began, 635 

And what before thy memory was done, 
From the beginning, that posterity, 
Inform'd by thee, might know ; ir' else thou seek'st 
Ought, not surpassing human measure, say." 



THE END OV BOOK VII, 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK VIII. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

Adam enquires concerning celestial motions, is doubtfully answered, 
and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledge : 
Adam assents ; and still desirous to detain Raphael, relates to him 
what he remembered since his own creation ; his placing in Para- 
dise, his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society, his first 
meeting and nuptials with Eve ; his discourse with the Angel there, 
upon ; who, after admonitions repeated, departs. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK VIII. 

JL he Angel ended ; and in Adam's ear 
So charming left his voice, that he awhile 
Thought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear ; 
Then, as new- waked, thus gratefully replied. 

" What thanks sufficient, or what recompense 5 

Equal, have I to render thee, divine 
Historian, who thus largely hast allay 'd 
The thirst I had of knowledge, & vouchsafed 
This friendly condescension, to relate 
Things else by me unsearchable, now heard 10 

With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, 
With glory attributed to the high 
Creator? Something yet of doubt remains, 
Which only thy solution can resolve. 
When I behold this goodly frame, this world, 15 

Of Heaven & Earth consisting, and compute 
Their magnitudes, this earth, a spot, a grain, 
An atom, with the firmament compared, 
And all her number'd stars, that seem to roll 
Spaces incomprehensible, for such 20 

Their distance argues, and their swift return 
Diurnal, merely to officiate light 
Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot, 
One day and night, in all their vast survey 
Useless besides ; reasoning, I oft admire, 25 

How nature, wise and frugal, could commit 
Such disproportions, with superfluous hand 
So many nobler bodies to create, 
Greater so manifold, to this one use, 
For ought appears, and on their orbs impose 30 

Such restless revolution, day by day 
Repeated; while the sedentary earth, 
That better might with far less compass move, 
Served by more noble than herself, attains 
Her end without least motion, and receives, ?.? 

As tribute, such a sumless journey brought 
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light ; 



170 



PARADISE LOST. 



Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. ** 
So spake our sire, and by his countenance seem'd 
Entering on studious thoughts abstruse; which Eve 40 

Perceiving, where she sat retired in sight, 
With lowliness majestic from her seat, 
And grace that won who saw to wish her stay, 
Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers, 
To visit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom, 45 

Her nursery : they at her corning sprung, 
And tcuch'd by her fair tendance, gladlier grew 
Yet went she not, as not with such discourse 
Delighted, or not capable her ear 

Of what was high : such pleasure she reserved, 50 

Adam relating, she sole auditress ; 
Her husband the relator she preferr'd 
Before the Angel, and of him to ask 
Chose rather ; he, she knew, would intermix 
Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 55 

With conjugal caresses ; from his lip 
Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now 
Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd ? 
With goddess-like demeanour forth she went, 
Not unattended, for on her, as queen, 60 

A pomp of winning graces waited still, 
And, from about her, shot darts of desire 
Into all eyes, to wish her still in sight.) 
And Raphael now, to Adam's doubt proposed, 
Benevolent and facile, thus replied. 65 

" To ask, or search I blame thee not, for Heaven 
Is as the book of God before thee set, 
Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn 
His seasons, hours, or days, or months, or years : 
This to attain, whether Heaven move, or Earth, 70 

Imports not, or if thou reckon right ; (the rest, 
From man or angel, the great Architect 
Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge 
His secrets, to be scann'd by them, who ought 
Rather admire:) or, if they list to try 75 

Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens 
Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move 
His laughter, at their quaint opinions wide, 
Hereafter, when they come to model Heaven, 
And calculate the stars, how they will wield 80 

The mighty frame, how build, unbuild, contrive 
To save appearances, how gird the sphere, 
With centric and eccentric scribbled o'er, 
Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb. 



PARADISE LOST. 171 

Already by thy reasoning this I guess, 85 

Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest, 
That bodies bright and greater should not serve 
The less, not bright; nor Heaven such journies run, 
Earth sitting still, when she alone receives 
The benefit. Consider first, that great 90 

Or bright infers not excellence : the Earth, 
Though in comparison of Heaven so small, 
, Nor glistering, may, of solid good, contain 
More plenty than the sun, that barren shines, 
Whose virtue on itself works no effect, 95 

But in the fruitful earth ; there first received, 
His beams, unactive else, their vigour find. 
Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries 
Officious, but to thee, earth's habitant. 
And for the Heaven's wide circuit, let it speak 100 

The Maker's high magnificence, who built 
So spacious, and his line stretch'd out so far, 
That man may know he dwells not in his own ; 
An edifice too large for him to fill, 
Lodg'd in a small partition, and the rest 105 

Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known. 
The swiftness of those circles attribute, 
Though numberless, to his omnipotence, 
That to corporeal substances could add 
Speed almost spiritual : me thou think'st not slow, 110 

Who, since the morning hour, set out from Heaven 
Where God resides, and ere mid- day arrived 
In Eden; distance inexpressible, 
By numbers that have name. But this I urge, 
Admitting motion in the Heavens, to show 115 

Invalid that, which thee to doubt it moved ; 
Not that I so affirm, though so it seem 
To thee, who hast thy dwelling here on earth. 
God, to remove his ways from human sense, 
Placed Heaven from Earth so far, that earthly sight, 120 

If it presume, might err in things too high, 
And no advantage gain. What if the sun 
Be centre to the world, and other stars, 
By his attractive virtue and their own 
Incited, dance about him various rounds? 125 

Their wandering course now high, now low, then hid, 
Progressive, retrograde, or standing still, 
In six thou seest ; and what if seventh to these 
The planet earth, so steadfast though she seem, 
Insensibly three different motions move? 130 

Which else to several spheres thou must ascribe, 



172 PARADISE LOST. 

Moved contrary with thwart obliquities; 

Or save the sun his labour, and that swift 

Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb supposed, 

Invisible else above all stars, the wheel 135 

Of day and night ; which needs not thy belief, 

If earth, industrious, of herself letch day 

Travelling east, and with her part averse 

From the sun's beam meet night, her other part 

Still luminous by his ray. What if that light, 140 

Sent from her, through the wide conspicuous air, 

To the terrestrial moon, be as a star, 

Enlightening her by day, as she by night 

This earth? reciprocal, if land be there, 

Fields and inhabitants : her spots thou seest 145 

As clouds ; & clouds may rain, & rain produce 

Fruits in her soften'd soil, for some to eat, 

Allotted there ; and other suns, perhaps, 

With their attendant moons, thou wilt descry, 

Communicating male and female light; 150 

Which two great sexes animate the world, 

Stored in each orb perhaps with some that live. 

For such vast room in nature, unpossess'd 

By living soul, desert and desolate, 

Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute 155 

Each orb a glimpse of light, convey'd so far 

Down to this habitable, which returns 

Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. 

But whether thus these things, or whether not, 

Whether the sun, predominant in Heaven, 160 

Rise on the earth, or earth rise on the sun ; 

He from the east his flaming road begin, 

Or she from west her silent course advance, 

With inoffensive pace, that spinning sleeps 

On her soft axle, while she paces even, 165 

And bears the soft with the smooth air along, 

Solicit not thy thoughts ; f with matters hid, 

Leave them to God above; him serve and fear; \ 

Of other creatures, as him pleases best, 

Wherever placed, let him dispose. Joy thou 170 

In what he gives to thee, this Paradise, 

And thy fair Eve ; Heaven is for thee too high, 

To know what passes there ; be lowly wise : 

Think only what concerns thee and thy being ; 

Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there ] 75 

Live, in what state, condition, or degree ; 

Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd, 

Not of Earth only, but of highest Heaven." ) 



PARADISE LOST. 173 

To whom thus Adam, clear'd of doubt, replied. 
" How iuiiy hast thou satisfied me, pure 180 

Intelligence of Heaven, Angel serene, 
And, freed from intricacies, taught to live 
The easiest way ; nor with perplexing thoughts 
To interrupt the sweet of life, from which 
God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares, 185 

And not molest us, unless we ourselves 
Seek them with wandering thoughts, & notions vain. 
( But apt the mind or fancy is to rove 
Uncheck'd, and of her roving is no end; 
Till warn'd, or by experience taught, she learns, 190 

That not to know at large of things remote 
From use, obscure, and subtle, but to know 
That which before us lies in daily life, 
Is the prime wisdom ; what is more is fume 
Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, 195 

And renders us, in things that most concern, 
Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek.) 
Therefore, from this high pitch, let us descend 
A lower flight, and speak of things at hand, 
Useful ; whence, haply mention may arise 200 

Of something not unreasonable to ask, 
By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deign'd. 
" Thee I have heard, relating what was done 
Ere my remembrance : now hear me relate 
My story, which perhaps thou hast not heard, 205 

And day is not yet spent ; till then, thou seest 
How subtly to detain thee I devise, j 

Inviting thee to hear while I relate ; 
Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply ; 
( For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heaven ; 210 

And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear 
Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst 
And hunger both, from labour, at the hour 
Of sweet repast ; they satiate, and soon fill, 
Though pleasant ; but thy words, with grace divine 215 

Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety." 

To whom thus Raphael answer 'd, heavenly meek. 
" Nor are thy lips ungraceful, sire of men, 
Nor tongue ineloquent ; for God on thee 
Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd, 220 

Inward and outward both, his image fair : 
Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace 
Attends thee, and each word, each motion forms ; 
Nor less think we in Heaven of thee on Earth, 
Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 225 



174 PARADISE LOST. 

Gladly into the ways of God with man : 

For God, we see, hath honour'd thee, and set 

On man his equal love. Say therefore on ; 

For I that day was absent, as befel, 

Bound on a voyage uncouth, and obscure, 230 

Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell, 

Squared in full legion ; such command we had, 

To see that none thence issued forth a spy, 

Or enemy, while God was in his work, 

Lest he, incens'd at such eruption bold, 235 

Destruction with creation might have mix'd. 

Not that they durst, without his leave, attempt ; 

But us he sends upon his high behests 

For state, as sovereign King, and to inure 

Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut 240 

The dismal gates, and barricado'd strong ; 

But, long ere our approaching, heard within 

Noise, other than the sound of dance or song, 

Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. 

Glad we return'd up to the coasts of light, 245 

Ere sabbath evening : so we had in charge. 

But thy relation now ; for I attend, 

Pleased with thy words no less than thou with mine." 

So spake the Godlike Power ; & thus our sire. 
" For man to tell how human life began 250 

Is hard ; for who himself beginning knew ? 
Desire with thee still longer to converse 
Induced me. As new waked from soundest sleep, 
Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid, 
In balmy sweat, which with his beams the sun 255 

Soon dried, and on the reeking moisture fed. 
Straight toward Heaven my wond'ring eyes I turn'd, 
And gazed awhile the ample sky ; till raised 
By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung, 
As thitherward endeavouring, and upright 2 GO 

Stood on my feet : about me round I saw 
Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, 
And liquid lapse of murmuring streams ; Joy these, 
Creatures that lived, and moved, & walked, or flew ; 
Birds on the branches warbling ; all things smiled ; 2 Go 

With fragrance, and with joy my heart o'erflow'd. 
Myself I then perused, and limb by limb 
Survey'd ; & sometimes went, & sometimes ran 
With supple joints, and lively vigour led ; 
But who I was, or where, or from what cause, 270 

Knew not; to speak I tried, & forthwith spake; 
My tongue obey'd, and readily could name 



PARADISE LOST. 175 

Whate'er I saw. ' Thou Sun,' said I, ' fair light, 

And thou enlighten'd Earth, so fresh and gay, 

Ye hills, and dales, ye rivers, woods, and plains, 275 

And ye that live and move, fair creatures, tell, 

Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here ? 

Not of myself; by some great Maker then, 

In goodness and in power pre-eminent; 

Tell me how I may know him, how adore, 280 

From whom I have that thus I move and live, 

And feel that I am happier than I know.' 

While thus I call'd, & stray 'd, I knew not whither, 

From where I first drew air, and first beheld 

This happy light, when answer none return'd, 285 

On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers, 

Pensive I sat me down ; there gentle sleep 

First found me, and with soft oppression seized 

My drowsed sense, untroubled, though I thought 

I then was passing to my former state, 290 

Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve.; 

When suddenly stood at my head a dream. 

Whose inward apparition gently moved 

My fancy, to believe I yet had being, 

And lived. One came 9 methought, of shape divine, 295 

And said, ' Thy mansion wants thee, Adam; rise, 

First man, of men innumerable ordain'd 

First father ; call'd by thee, I come, thy guide 

To the garden of bliss, thy seat prepared.' 

So saying, by the hand he took me, raised, 300 

And over fields and waters, as in air, 

Smooth sliding, without step, last led me up 

A woody mountain, whose high top was plain, 

A circuit wide, enclosed, with goodliest trees 

Planted, with walks, and bowers ; that what I saw 305 

Of earth before scarce pleasant seem'd. Each tree 

Loaden with fairest fruit, that hung to the eye 

Tempting, stirr'd in me sudden appetite 

To pluck and eat : whereat I wak'd, & found 

Before mine eyes all real, as the dream 310 

Had lively shadow'd. Here had new begun 

My wandering, had not he, who was my guide 

Up hither, from among the trees appear'd, 

Presence divine. Rejoicing, but with awe, 

In adoration at his feet I fell, 315 

Submiss : he rear'd me &, ' whom thou sought'st I am/ 

Said mildly ; ' Author of all this thou seest, 

Above, or round about thee, or beneath 

This Paradise I give thee, count it thine, 



176 



PARADISE LOST. 



To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat • 320 

Of every tree, that in the garden grows, 

Eat freely, with glad heart ; fear here no dearth 

But of the tree, whose operation brings 

Knowledge of good and ill, which I have set, 

The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 325 

Amid the garden, by the tree of life, 

Remember what I warn thee ; shun to taste, 

And shun the bitter consequence : for know, 

The day thou eat'st thereof, my sole command 

Tiansgress'd, inevitably thou shalt die, 330 

From that day mortal, and this happy state 

Shalt lose, expell'd from hence, into a world 

Of wo and sorrow.' Sternly he pronounced 

The rigid interdiction, which resounds 

Yet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choice 335 

Not to incur; but soon his clear aspect 

Return'd, and gracious purpose thus renew'd. 

* Not only these fair bounds, but all the earth, 

To thee and to thy race, I give; as lords 

Possess it, and all things that therein live, 340 

Or live in sea, or air, beast, fish, and fowl. 

In sign whereof, each bird and beast behold, 

After their kinds ; I bring them to receive 

From thee their names, and pay thee fealty, 

With low subjection ; understand the same 345 

Of fish, within their watery residence. 

Not hither summon'd, since they cannot change 

Their element to draw the thinner air.' 

As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold, 

Approaching two and two ; these cowering low, 350 

With blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing. 

I named them, as they pass'd, and understood 

Their nature ; with such knowledge God endued 

My sudden apprehension : but, in these, 

I found not what methought I wanted still ; 355 

And to the Heavenly Vision thus presumed : 

" ' O by what name, for thou, above all these, 
Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher, 
Surpassest far my naming, how may I 
Adore thee, Author of this universe, 360 

And all this good to man ? for whose well being 
So amply, and with hands so liberal, 
Thou hast provided all things ; but with me 
I see not who partakes, fin solitude, 
What happiness, who can enjoy alone ; 365 

Or, all enjoying, what contentment find V ^ 



PARADISE LOST. 

Thus I, presumptuous; and the vision bright, 
As with a smile more brighten'd, thus replied. 

" • What call'st thou solitude ? is not the earth 
With various living creatures, and the air 370 

Replenish'd, and all these, at thy command, 
To come & play before thee ? know'st thou not 
Their language, and their ways ? they also know, 
And reason not contemptibly ; with these 
Find pastime, and bear rule ; thy realm is large.' 375 

So spake the universal Lord, and seem'd 
So ordering ; I, with leave of speech implored 
And humble deprecation, thus replied: 

" * Let not my words offend thee, heavenly Power, 
My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 380 

Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, 
And these inferior far beneath me set? 
{ Among unequals, what society 
Can sort, what harmony, or true delight? 
Which must be mutual, in proportion due 385 

Given, and received ; but in disparity, 
The one intense, the other still remiss, 
Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove 
Tedious alike. } Of fellowship I speak, 
Such as I seek, fit to participate 390 

All rational delight, wherein the brute 
Cannot be human consort : they rejoice 
Each with their kind, lion and lioness ; 
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined ; 
Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl, 395 

So well converse, nor with the ox the ape : 
Worse then can man with beast, & least of all.' 
Whereto the Almighty answer'd, not displeas'd. 

" ' A nice and subtle happiness, I see, 
Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice 400 

Of thy associates, Adam, and wilt taste 
No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. 
What think'st thou then of me, & this my state ? 
Seem I to thee sufficiently possess'd 
Of happiness, or not? who am alone, 405 

From all eternity ; for none I know 
Second to me, or like, equal much less. 
How have I then with whom to hold converse, 
Save with the creatures which I made, & those 
To me inferior, infinite descents 410 

Beneath what other creatures are to thee?' 
" He ceased, I lowly answer'd. ' To attain 
The height and depth of thy eternal ways, 



178 PARADISE LOST. 

All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things ; 

Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee 415 

Is no deficience found; not so is Man, 

But in degree, the cause of his desire, 

By conversation with his like, to help 

Or solace his defects. No need that thou 

Shouldst propagate, already infinite, 420 

And through all numbers absolute, though one ; 

But Man by number is to manifest 

His single imperfection, and beget 

Like of his like, his image multiplied, 

In unity defective ; which requires 425 

Collateral love, and dearest amity. 

Thou in thy secresy, although alone, 

Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not 

Social communication ; yet, so pleased, 

Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt 430 

Of union or communion, deify 'd ; 

I, by conversing, cannot these erect 

From prone, nor in their ways complacence find.' 

Thus 1 embolden'd spake, and freedom used, 

Permissive, and acceptance found ; which gain'd 43J 

This answer from the gracious voice divine : 

" ' Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased, 
And find thee knowing, not of beasts alone, 
Which thou hast rightly named, but of thyself, 
Expressing well the spirit within thee, free, 440 

My image, not imparted to the brute, 
Whose fellowship, therefore unmeet for thee, 
Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike ; 
And be so minded still : 1, ere thou spak'st, 
Knew it not good for Man to be alone, 445 

And no such company, as then thou saw'st 
Intended thee ; for trial only brought, 
To see how thou couldst judge of fit & meet. 
> What next I bring, shall please thee, be assur'd ; 
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450 

Thy wish, exactly to thy heart's desire.' 

u He ended, or I heard no more ; for now 
My earthly, by his heavenly overpower'd, 
Which it had long stood under, strain'd to the height. 
In that celestial colloquy sublime, 455 

As with an object that excels the sense, 
Dazzled and spent, sunk down, and sought repair 
Of sleep ; which instantly fell on me, call'd 
By nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. 
Mine eyes he closed, but open left the cell 460 



PARADISE LOST. 



179 



Of fancy, my internal sight ; by which 

Abstract as in a trance, methought I saw, 

Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 

Still glorious before whom awake I stood : 

Who stooping, open'd my left side, and took 465 

From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm, 

And life-blood streaming fresh ; wide was the wound, 

But suddenly with flesh fill'd up, and heal'd : 

The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hands ; 

Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470 

Manlike, but different sex ; so lovely fair, 

That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now 

Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd, 

And in her looks, which from that time infused 

Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 4 75 

And into all things, from her air inspired 

The spirit of love, and amorous delight. 

She disappear'd, and left me dark ;(1 waked 

To find her, or for ever to deplore 

Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure : 480 

When out of hope, behold her, not far off, 

Such as I saw her in my dream, adorn'd 

With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow, 

To make her amiable. On she came, 

Led by her heavenly Maker, though unseen, 4g5 

And guided by his voice ; nor uninform'd 

Of nuptial sanctity, and marriage rites; 

Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her eye, 

In every gesture dignity and love.") 

I overjoy'd, could not forbear aloud. 490 

" ' This turn hath made amends ; thou hast fulfill'd 
Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign ! 
Giver of all things fair, but fairest this 
Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see 
Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself 493 

Before me ; Woman is her name, of Man 
Extracted : for this cause he shall forego 
Father and mother, and to his wife adhere ; 
And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul.' 

" She heard me thus ; & though divinely brought, 500 

Yet innocence, and virgin modesty, 
Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, 
That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won ; 
Not obvious, not obstrusive, but retired, 
The more desirable, or, to say all, 505 

Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, 
Wrought in her so, that, seeing me, she turn'd ; 

n 2 



180 PARADISE LOST. 

I follow'd her; she what was honour knew, 

And, with obsequious majesty, approvd 

My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 510 

I led her, blushing like the morn : all Heaven, 

And happy constellations on that hour 

Shed their selectest influence ; the earth 

Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; 

Joyous the birds ; fresh gales, and gentle airs, 515 

Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings 

Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub, 

Disporting, till the amorous bird of night 

Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star, 

On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp. 520 

"Thus I have told thee all my state, and brought 
My story to the sum of earthly bliss, 
Which I enjoy; and must confess to find 
In all things else delight indeed ; but sue!) 
As, used or not, works in the mind no change, 525 

Nor vehement desire ; these delicacies 
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, & flowers, 
Walks, and the melody of birds; but here 
Far otherwise, transported I behold, 
Transported touch ; Jiere passion first I felt, 530 

Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else 
Superior, and unmoved, here only weak, 
Against the charm of beauty's powerful glance. 
Or nature fail'd in me, and left some part 
Not proof enough such object to sustain ; 535 

Or from my side subducting, took perhaps 
More than enough ; at least, on her bestow'd 
Too much of ornament, in outward show 
Elaborate, of inward less exact. 

For well I understand, in the prime end 540 

Of nature, her the inferior, in the mind, 
And inward faculties, which most excel; 
In outward also, her resembling less 
His image who madelx)th, and less expressing 
The character of that dominion given 545 

O'er other creatures ; iyet when I approach 
Her loveliness, so absolute she seems, 
And in herself complete, so well to know 
Her own, that what she wills to do, or say, 
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best : 550 

All higher knowledge in her presence, falls 
Degraded; wisdom, in discourse with her, 
Loses discountenanced, and like folly shows; 
Authority and reason on her wait, 



PARADISE LOST. 



181 



As one intended first, not after made 555 

Occasionally ;) and, to consummate all, 
Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat 
Build in her, loveliest, and create an awe 
About her, as a guard angelic placed." 

To whom the Angel with contracted brow. 560 

" Accuse not nature, she hath done her part; 
Do thou but thine, and be not diffident 
Of wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou 
Dismiss not her when most thou need'st her nigh, 
By attributing overmuch to things 565 

Less excellent, as thou thyself perceivest. 
For what admirest thou, what transports thee so ? 
An outside? fair, no doubt, and worthy well 
Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love, 
Not thy subjection : weigh with her thyself; 570 

Then value. Oft-times nothing profits more 
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right, 
Well managed ; of that skill the more thou know'st 
The more she will acknowledge thee her head, 
And to realities yield all her shows : 575 

Made so adorn, for thy delight the more ; 
So awful, that with honour thou may'st love 
Thy mate, who sees, when thou art seen least wise. 
But if the sense of touch, whereby mankind 
Is propagated, seem such dear delight, 580 

Beyond all other, think the same vouchsafed 
To cattle & each beast ; which would not be 
To them made common & divulged, if aught 
Therein enjoyed were worthy to subdue 
The soul of man, or passion in him move. 585 

What higher, in her society, thou find'st 
_ Attractive, human, rational, love still ; 
In loving, thou dost well ; in passion not, 
Wherein true love consists not ; love refines 
The thoughts, & heart enlarges, hath his seat 590 

In reason, and is judicious, is the scale 
By which to heavenly love thou may'st ascend, 
Not sunk in carnal pleasure ; for which cause 
Among the beasts, no mate for thee was found." 

To whom thus, half abash'd, Adam reply'd : 595 

" Neither her outside, form'd so fair, nor aught 
In procreation, common to all kinds, 
Though higher of the genial bed by far, 
And with mysterious reverence, I deem, 
So much delights me, as those graceful acts, 6QQ 

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow 



182 PARADISE LOST. 

From all her words and actions, mix'd with love 

And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd 

Union of mind, or in us both one soul ; 

Harmony, to behold in wedded pair, 605 

More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear. 

Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose 

What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd, 

Who meet with various objects from the sense 

Variously representing; yet, still free, 610 

Approve the best, and follow what I approve. 

To love thou blamest me not ; for love, thou say'st, 

Leads up to Heaven, is both the way, and guide j 

Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask. 

Love not the heavenly Spirits, & how their love 615 

Express they ? by looks only, or do they mix 

Irradiance, virtual, or immediate touch ?." 

To whom the Angel, with a smile, that glow'd 
Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue, 
Answered. " Let it suffice thee, that thou know'st 620 
Us happy; and without love, no happiness. 
Whatever pure thou, in the body, enjoy'st, 
And pure thou wert created, we enjoy 
In eminence, and obstacle find none, 
Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars , 625 

Easier than air with air, if spirits embrace, 
Total they mix, union of pure with pure 
Desiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need, 
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul. 
But I can now no more ; the parting sun, 630 

Beyond the earth's green cape and verdant isles 
Hesperian sets, my signal to depart. 
Be strong, live happy, and love ; but first of all, 
Him, whom to love is to obey, and keep 
His great command ; take heed lest passion sway 635 

Thy judgment to do aught which else free will 
Would not admit : thine, and of all thy sons 
The weal or wo in thee is placed : beware. 
I in thy persevering shall rejoice, 

And all the Blessed : stand fast ; to stand, or fall, 640 

Free, in thine own arbitrement it lies. 
Perfect within, no outward aid require ; 
And all temptation to transgress repel.' 

So saying, he arose : whom Adam thus 
Follow'd with benediction. " Since to parr, 645 

Go heavenly guest, ethereal messenger, 
Sent from whose sovereign goodness I adore. 
Gentle to me, and affable, hath been 



PARADISE LOST. 



183 



Thy condescension ; and shall be honour'd ever, 

With grateful memory: thou to mankind 650 

Be good and friendly still, and oft return." 

So parted they; the Angel up to Heaven, 
From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower. 



THP END OF BOOK VIII, 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK IX. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Satan, having oompassed the earth, with meditated guile returns as a 
mist, by night, into Paradise, and enters into the serpent sleeping. 
Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, which Eve 
proposes to divide in several places, each labouring apart. Adam 
consents not, alleging the danger, lest that enemy, of whom they 
were forewarned, should attempt her found alone. Eve, loath to 
be thought not circumspect or firm enough, urges her going apart, 
the rather desirous to make trial of her strength ; Adam at last yields. 
The serpent finds her alone; his subtle approach, first gazing, then 
speaking, with much flattery extolling Eve above all other creatures. 
Eve, wondering to hear the serpent speak, asks how he attained to 
human speech and such understanding, not till now : the serpent 
answers, that by tasting of a certain tree in the garden he attained 
both to speech and reason, till then void of both. Eve requires him 
to bring her to that tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge 
forbidden. The serpent, now grown bolder, with many wiles and 
arguments induces her at length to eat; she pleased with the taste, 
deliberates awhile whether to impart thereof to Adam or not ; at 
last brings him of the fruit, relates what persuaded her to eat thereof. 
Adam, at first amazed, but perceiving her lost, resolves, through 
vehemence of love to perish with her, and, extenuating the trespass, 
eats also of the fruit. The effects thereof in them both ; they seek 
to cover their nakedness ; then fall to variance and accusation of 
one another. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK IX. 

No more of talk, where God, or Angel, guest 
With Man, as with his friend, familiar used 
To sit indulgent, and with him partake 
Rural repast, permitting him the while 
Venial discourse, unblamed ; I now must change 5 

These notes to tragic ; foul distrust, and breach 
Disloyal, on the part of Man, revolt, 
And disobedience; on the part of Heaven, 
Now alienated, distance, and distaste, 
Anger, and just rebuke, and judgment given, 10 

That brought into this world a world of wo, 
Sin, and her shadow Death, and Misery, 
Death's harbinger. Sad task ; yet argument 
Not less, but more heroic, than the w T rath 
Of stern Achilles, on his foe pursued, 15 

Thrice iugmve about Troy wall; or rage 
Of Turnus, for Lavinia dis-espoused ; 
Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's, that so long 
Perplex'd the Greek, and Cytherea's son. 
If answerable style I can obtain 20 

Of my celestial patroness, who deigns 
Her nightly visitation, unimplored, 
And dictates to me slumbering, or inspires 
Easy my unpremeditated verse : 

Since first this subject, for heroic song, 25 

Pleased me, long choosing, and beginning late ; 
Not sedulous by nature to indite 
Wars, hitherto, the only argument 
Heroic deem'd ; chief mastery, to dissect, 
With long and tedious havoc, fabled knights, 30 

In battles feign'd ; the better fortitude 
Of patience, and heroic martyrdom, 
Unsung ; or to describe races and games, 
Or tilting furniture, emblazon'd shields, 
Impresses quaint, caparisons, and steeds, 35 

Bases, and tinsel trappings, gorgeous knights, 
At joust and tournament ; then mnrshall'd feast, 



u 



PARADISE LOST. 



Served up in hall, with sewers, & seneschals; 
The skill of artifice, or office mean ; 
Not that which justly gives heroic name 40 

To person, or to poem. Me of these, 
Nor skill'd nor studious; higher aigument 
Remains, sufficient of itself to raise 
That name; unless an age too late, or cold 
Climate, or years, damp my intended wing, 45 

Depress'd ; and much they may, if all be mine, 
Not her's, who brings it nightly to my ear. 
The sun was sunk ; and after him the star 
Of Hesperus, whose office is to bring 
Twilight upon the earth, short arbiter 50 

'Twixt day and night; & now, from end to end, 
Night's hemisphere had veil'd the horizon round : 
When Satan, who late fled, before the threats 
Of Gabriel, out of Eden, now improved 
In meditated fraud and malice, bent 55 

On Man's destruction, maugre what might hap 
Of heavier on himself, fearless return'd. 
By night he fled, and at midnight return'd, 
From compassing the earth ; cautious of day, 
Since Uriel, regent of the sun, descried 60 

His entrance, and forewam'd the cherubim 
That kept their watch ; thence, full of anguish driven, 
The space of seven continued nights he rode 
With darkness ; thrice the equinoctial line 
He circled, four times cross'd the car of night, 65 

From pole to pole, traversing each colure ; 
On the eighth return'd, and on the coast averse 
From entrance, or cherubic watch, by stealth 
Found unsuspected way. There was a place, 
Now not, though sin, not time, first wrought the change,70 
Where Tigris, a the foot of Paradise, 
Into a gulf shot under ground, till part 
Rose up a fountain, by the tree of life : 
In with the river sunk, and with it rose 
Satan involved in rising mist ; then sought 75 

Where to lie hid : sea he had search'd, & land, 
From Eden, over Pontus, and the pool 
Maeotis, up beyond the river Ob; 
Downward as far antarctic ; and in length, 
West from Orontes to the ocean, barr'd 80 

At Darien, thence, to the land where flows 
Ganges and Indus. Thus the orb he roam'd, 
Wiih narrow search ; & with inspection deep, 
Consider'd every creature, which of all 



PARADISE LOST. 



I SO 



Most opportune might serve his wiles, and found 85 

The serpent subtlest beast of all the field. 

Him, after long debate, irresolute 

Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose, 

Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom 

To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 90 

From sharpest sight : for, in the wily snake 

"Whatever sleights, none would suspicious mark, 

As from his wit and native subtlety 

Proceeding, which in other beasts observed, 

Doubt might beget of diabolic power, 05 

Active within, beyond the sense of brute. 

Thus he resolved ; but first, from inward grief, 

His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd. 

" O Earth ! how like to Heaven, if not preferr'd 
More justly, seat worthier of Gods, as built 100 

With second thoughts, reforming what was old ! 
For what God, after better, worse would build ? 
Terrestrial Heaven, danc'd round by other heavens, 
That shine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, 
Light above light, for thee alone, as seems, 105 

In thee concentring all their precious beams 
Of sacred influence ! As God in Heaven 
Js centre, yet extends to all, so thou, 
Centring, receivest from all those orbs ; in thee, 
Not in themselves, all their known virtue appears, 1 10 

Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth 
Of creatures, animate with gradual life 
Of growth, sense, reason, all summ'd up in Man. 
With what delight could I have walk'dthee round, 
If I could joy in aught, sweet interchange 115 

Of hill, and valley, rivers, woods, and plains; 
Now land, now sea, & shores with forest crown'd, 
Rocks, dens, and caves. But I in none of these 
Find place or refuge ; and the more I see 
Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 120 

Torment within me, as from the hateful siege. 
Of contraries; all good to me becomes 
Bane, & in Heaven much worse would be my state. 
But neither here seek I, no, nor in Heaven 
To dwell, unless by mastering Heaven's Supreme ; 125 

Nor hope to be myself less miserable 
By what I seek, but others to make such 
As I, though thereby worse to me redound; 
For only in destroying I find ease 

To my relentless thoughts; and him destroy'd, 130 

Or won, to what may work his utter loss, 



190 PARADISE LOST. 

For whom all this was made, all this will soon 
Follow, as to him link'd in weal or wo ; 
In wo then, that destruction wide may range. 
To me shall be the glory sole, among 135 

The infernal powers, in one day to have marr'd, 
What he, Almighty styled, six nights and days 
Continued making, and who knows how long 
Before had been contriving ; though perhaps 
Not longer than since I, in one night, freed 140 

From servitude inglorious well nigh half 
The angelic name, and thinner left the throng 
Of his adorers. He, to be avenged, 
And to repair his numbers, thus impair'd, 
Whether such virtue, spent of old, now fail'd 145 

More angels to create, if they at least 
Are his created, or, to spite us more, 
Determined to advance into our room 
A creature form'd of earth, & him endow, 
Exalted from so base original, 150 

With heavenly spoils, our spoils. What he decreed, 
He effected ; Man he made, and for him built 
Magnificent, this world, and earth his seat ; 
Him lord pronounced ; and, O indignity ! 
Subjected to his service angel wings, 155 

And flaming ministers, to watch and tend 
Their earthy charge. Of these the vigilance 
I dread ; and to elude, thus, wrapt in mist 
Of midnight vapour, glide obscure, and pry 
In every bush and brake, where hap may find 160 

The serpent sleeping, in whose mazy folds 
To hide me, and the dark intent I bring. 
O foul descent ! that I, who erst contended 
With gods to sit the highest, am now constrain'd 
Into a beast, and mix'd with bestial slime, 1G5 

This essence to incarnate and imbrute, 
That to the height of deity aspired ; 
; But what will not ambition and revenge 
Descend to ? who aspires, must down as low 
As high he soar'd, obnoxious, first or last, 170 

To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet 
Bitter ere long, back on itself recoils ; 
Let it; I reck not, so it light well aim'd, 
Since higher I fall short, on him who next 
Provokes my envy ; this new favourite 1 75 

Of Heaven, this man of clay, son of despite; 
Whom, us the more to spite, his Maker raised 
From dust : spite then with spite is best repaid." 



PARADISE LOST. 191 

So saying, through each thicket, dank or dry, 
Like a black mist, low creeping, he held on ISO 

His midnight search, where soonest he might find 
The serpent : him, fast sleeping, soon he found, 
In labyrinth of many a round, self-roll'd, 
His head the midst, well stor'd with subtle wiles ; 
Nor yet in horrid shade, or dismal den, 185 

Nor nocent yet, but on the grassy herb, 
Fearless, unfear'd he slept. In at his mouth 
The Devil enter'd, and his brutal sense, 
In heart or head possessing, soon inspired 
With act intelligential ; but his sleep 190 

Disturb'd not, waiting close the approach of morn. 
Now when as sacred li^ht began to dawn, 
In Eden, on the humid flowers, that breathed 
Their morning incense, when all things that breathe 
From the earth's great altar send up silent praise 195 

To the Creator and his nostrils fill 
With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, 
And join'd their vocal worship to the quire 
Of creatures wanting voice : that done, partake 
The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs : 200 

Then commune how that day they best might ply 
Their growing work : for much their work outgrew 
The hands despatch of two, gardening so wide, 
And Eve first, to her husband, thus began. 

" Adam, well may we labour still to dress 205 

This garden, still to tend plant, herb, and flower, 
Our pleasant task enjoined ; but till more hands 
Aid us, the work under our labo'ur grows 
Luxurious by restraint; what we by day 
Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, 210 

One night or two with wanton growth derides, 
Tending to wild. Thou therefore now advise, 
Or hear, what to my mind first thoughts present : 
Let us divide our labours ; thou where choice 
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 215 

The woodbine round this arbour, or direct 
The clasping ivy where to climb : while I, 
In yonder spring of roses intermix'd 
With myrtle, find what to redress till noon : 
For while so near each other thus all day 220 

Our task we choose, what wonder, if so near, 
Looks intervene and smiles, or object new, 
Casual discourse draw on ? which intermits 
Our day's work, brought to little, though begun 
Early ; and the hour of supper comes unearn'd." 225 



192 PARADISE LOST. 

To whom mild answer Adam thus return 'd. 
" Sole Eve, associate sole, to me, beyond 
Compare, above all living creatures dear ; 
Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts employ'd 
How we might best fulfil the work, which here 230 

God hath assign'd us, nor of me shalt pass 
Unpraised : for nothing lovelier can be found 
In woman, than to study household good, 
And good works in her husband to promote, 
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed 235 

Labour, as to debar us, when we need, 
Refreshment, whether food, or talk, between, 
Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse 
Of looks and smiles ; for smiles from reason flow, 
To brute denied, and are of love the food ;) 240 

Love, not the lowest end of human life. 
For not to irksome toil, but to delight, 
He made us, and delight to reason join'd. 
The paths & bowers, doubt not, but our joint hands 
Will keep from wilderness, with ease, as wide 245 

As we need walk, till younger hands ere long, 
Assist us : but if much converse, perhaps, 
Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield : 
For solitude sometimes is best society, 
And short retirement urges sweet return. 250 

But other doubt possesses me, lest harm 
Befal thee severed from me ; for thou know'st 
What hath been warn'd us, what malicious foe, 
Envying our happiness, and of his own 
Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame, 255 

By sly assault ; and somewhere nigh at hand 
Watches no doubt, with greedy hope, to find 
His wish, and best advantage, us asunder ; 
Hopeless to circumvent us join'd, where each 
To other speedy aid might lend at need : 2 GO 

Whether his first design be to withdraw 
Our fealty from God, or to disturb 
Conjugal love; than which, perhaps, no bliss 
Enjoy 'd by us excites his envy more; 
Or this, or worse ; leave not the faithful side 265 

That gave thee being, still shades thee, & protects. 
The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, 
Safest, and seemliest, by her husband stays ; 
Who guards her, or with her worse endures." 

To whom the virgin majesty of Eve, 270 

As one who loves, & some unkindness meets, 
With sweet austere composure, thus replied. 



PARADISE LOST. 



193 



" Offspring of Heaven and Earth, & all Earth's Lord, 

That such an enemy we have, who seeks 

Our ruin, both by thee inform'd, I learn, 275 

And from the parting angel overheard, 

As in a shady nook I stood behind, 

Just then return'd at shut of evening flowers. 

But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt, 

To God, or thee, because we have a foe 280 

May tempt it, I expected not to hear. 

His violence thou fear'st not, being such 

As we, not capable of death or pain, 

Can either not receive, or can repel. 

His fraud is then thy fear ; which plain infers 285 

Thy equal fear, that my firm faith and love 

Can by his fraud be shaken, or seduced ; 

Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy breast, 

Adam, misthought of her, to thee so dear V 

To whom, with healing words, Adam replied. 290 

" Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve, 
For such thou art, from sin and blame entire : 
Not diffident of thee, do I dissuade 
Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid 
The attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295 

For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses 
The tempted with dishonour foul, supposed 
Not incorruptible of faith, not proof 
Against temptation : thou thyself with scorn 
And anger, wouldst resent the offer'd wrong, 300 

Though ineffectual found ; misdeem not then, 
If such affront I labour to avert 
From thee, alone, which on us both at once, 
The enemy, though bold, will hardly dare ; 
Or daring, first on me the assault shall light. 305 

Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn : 
Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce 
Angels ; nor think superfluous others' aid. 
I, from the influence of thy looks, receive 
Access in every virtue; in thy sight 310 

More wise, more watchful, stronger if need were 
Of outward strength ; while shame, thou looking on, 
Shame to be overcome or overreach 'd, 
Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite. 
Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel 315 

When I am present, and thy trial choose 
With me, best witness of thy virtue tried !" 

So spake domestic Adam, in his care 
And matrimonial love ; but Eve, who thought 



194 



PARADISE LOST. 



Less attributed to her faith sincere, 320 

Thus her reply, with accent sweet, renew'd. 

" If this be our condition, thus to dwell 
In narrow circuit, straiten'd by a foe, 
Subtle or violent, we not endued, 
Single, with like defence, wherever met, 325 

How are we happy, still in fear of harm ? 
But harm precedes not sin ; only our foe, 
Tempting, affronts us with his foul esteem 
Of our integrity ; his foul esteem 

Sticks no dishonour on our front, but turns 330 

Foul on himself : then wherefore shunn'd or fear'd 
By us? who rather double honour gain 
From his surmise, proved false; find peace within, 
Favour from Heaven, our witness from the even* 
And what is faith, love, virtue, unassay'd, 335 

Alone, without exterior help sustain'd ? 
Let us not then suspect our happy state, 
Left so imperfect by the Maker wise, 
As not secure, to single, or combined. 
Frail is our happiness if this be so, 340 

And Eden were no Eden thus exposed." 

To whom thus Adam fervently reply 'd. 
" O Woman ! best are all things as the will 
Of God ordain'd them ; his creating hand 
Nothing imperfect or deficient left 345 

Of all that he created, much less Man, 
Or ought that might his happy state secure 
Secure from outward force ; within himself 
The danger lies, yet lies within his power : 
Against his will, he can receive no harm 350 

But God left free the will ; for what obeys 
Reason, is free, and reason he made right 
But bid her well beware, and still erect 
Lest, by some fair appearing good surprised, 
She dictate false, and misinform the will, 355 

To do what God expressly hath forbid. 
Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins 
That I should mind thee oft, & mind thou me. 
Firm we subsist, yet possible $.0 swerve ; 
Since reason not impossibly may meet 360 

Some specious object, by the foe suborn'd, 
And fall into deception unaware, 
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. 
Seek not temptation then, which to avoid 
Were better, and most likely, if from me 365 

Thou sever not : trial will come unsought. 



PARADISE LOST. 



195 



Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve 

First thy obedience ; the other who can know ? 

Not seeing thee attempted, who attest ? 

But if thou think, trial unsought may find 370 

Us both securer, than thus warn'd thou seem'st, 

Go ; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more ; ') 

Go, in thy native innocence; rely 

On what thou hast of virtue, summon all ; 

For God towards thee hath done his part ; do thine." ,375 

So spake the patriarch of mankind ; but Eve 
Persisted, yet submiss, though last, reply'd. 

" With thy permission then , & thus forwarned , 
Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words 
Touch 'd only, that our trial, when least sought, 380 

May find us both perhaps far less prepared ; 
The willinger I go ; nor much expect 
A foe so proud, will first the weaker seek ; 
So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse." 

Thus saying, from her husband's hand, her hand 385 

Soft she withdrew ; and like a Wood-Nymph light, 
Oread or Dryad, o. <)f Delia's train, 
Betook her to the groves ; but Delia's self 
In gait surpass'd, and goddess-like deport; 
Though not, as she, with bow & quiver armed, 390 

But with such gardening tools, as art, yet rude, 
Guiltless of fire, had form'd, or angels brought 
To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorn'd, 
Likest she seem'd ; Pomona, when she fled 
Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime, 395 

Yet virgin of Proserpina, from Jove. 
Her long, with ardent look, his eye pursu'd, 
Delighted, but desired more her stay. 
Oft he to her his charge of quick return 
Repeated; she to him as oft engaged 400 

To be return'd by noon, amid the bower, 
And all things in best order, to invite 
Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose. 
I O much deceived, much failing, hapless Eve, 
Of thy presumed return ! event perverse ! 405 

Thou never, from that hour, in Paradise 
Found'st either sweet repast, or sound repose ; 
Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers & shades, 
Waited, with hellish rancour imminent, 
To intercept thy way, or send thee back 410 

Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss. 
For now, & since first break of dawn, the fiend, 
Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come, 

o2 



196 PARADISE LOST. 

And on his quest, where likeliest he might find 

The only two of mankind; but in them 415 

The whole included race, his purposed prey. 

In bower and field he sought, where any tuft 

Of grove, or garden-plot, more pleasant lay, 

Their tendance, or plantation for delight; 

By fountain, or by shady rivulet, 420 

He sought them both ; but wish'd his hap might find 

Eve separate ; he wish'd, but not with hope 

Of what so seldom chanced, when, to his wish, 

Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies, 

Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood, 425 

Half spy'd, so thick the roses, blushing round 

About her, glow'd, oft stooping to support 

Each flower of slender stalk, whose head, though gay, 

Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold, 

Hung drooping, unsustain'd : them she upstays 430 

Gently with myrtle band ; mindless the while 

Herself, though fairest unsupported flower, 

From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh. 

Nearer he drew, and many a walk traversed 

Of stateliest covert, cedar, pine, or palm ; 435 

Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen, 

Among thick-woven arbore.ts and flowers, 

Imbordered on each bank, the hand of Eve : 

Spot more delicious than those gardens feign'd 

Or of reviv'd Adonis, or renown'd 440 

Alcinous, host of old Laertes* son ; 

Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king 

Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse. 

Much he the place admired, the person more. 

As one, who, long in populous city pent, 445 

Where houses thick, and sewers, annoy the air, 

Forth issuing, on a summer's morn, to breathe 

Among the pleasant villages, and farms 

Adjoin'd,from each thing met conceives delight, 

The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine, 450 

Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound ; 

If chance, with nymph-like step, fair virgin pass, 

What pleasing seem'd, for her, now pleases more, 

She most, and in her look sums all delight : 

Such pleasure took the Serpent to behold 455 

This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve, 

Thus early, thus alone. Her heavenly form 

Angelic, but more soft, and feminine, 

Her graceful innocence, her every air 

Of gesture or least action, over-awed 460 



PARADISE LOST. 



197 



His malice ; and, with rapine sweet bereaved 

His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought. 

That space, the evil one abstracted stood 

From his own evil, & for the time remain'd 

Stupidly good, of enmity disarm'd, 465 

Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge; 

But the hot hell that always in him burns. 

Though in mid Heaven, soon ended his delight, 

And tortures him now more, the more he sees 

Of pleasure, not for him ordain 'd. Then soon 470 

Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 

Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites. 

" Thoughts, whither have ye led me ? with what sweet 
Compulsion, thus transported, to forget 
What hither brought us ? hate, not love, nor hope 475 

Of Paradise for Hell; hope here to taste 
Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy, 
Save what is in destroying; other joy 
To me is lost. Then let me not let pass 
Occasion, which now smiles; behold alone 480 

The woman, opportune to all attempts ; 
Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh ; 
Whose higher intellectual more I shun, 
And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb 
Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould, 485 

Foe not in formidable, exempt from wound ; 
I not; so much hath Hell debased, & pain 
Enfeebled me, to what I was in Heaven. 
She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods; 
Not terrible, though terror be in love 490 

And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate ; 
Hate stronger, under show of love well feign'd, 
The way which to her ruin now I tend." 

So spake the enemy of mankind, enclosed 
Tn serpent, inmate bad ; and toward Eve 495 

Address'd his way ; not with indented wave, 
Prone on the ground, as since ; but on his rear, 
Circular base of rising folds, that tower 'd, 
Fold above fold, a surging maze ; his head 
Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; 500 

With burnish'd neck of verdant gold, erect 
Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass 
Floated redundant: pleasing was his shape, 
And lovely; never since of serpent kind 
Lovelier; not those that in Illyra changed 505 

Hermione and Cadmus, or the God 
In Epidarus; nor to which transform'd, 



198 PARADISE LOST. 

Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen ; 

He with Olympias, this with her who bore 

Scipio the highth of Rome. With tract oblique, 510 

At first, as one who sought access, but fear'd 

To interrupt, side-long he works his way : 

As when a ship, by skilful steersman wrought, 

Nigh river's mouth, or foreland, where the wind 

Veers off, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail ; 515 

So varied he, and of his tortuous train 

Curl'd many a wanton wreath, in sight of Eve, 

To lure her eye ; she, busied, heard the sound 

Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as used 

To such disport before her through the field, 520 

From every beast; more duteous at her call, 

Than at Circean call, the herd disguised. 

He, bolder now, uncall'd before her stood 

But as in gaze admiring : oft he bow'd 

His turret crest, and sleek enamell'd neck, 525 

Fawning; & lick'd the ground whereon she trod. 

His gentle dumb expression turn'd, at length, 

The eye of Eve to mark his play ; he, glad 

Of her attention gain'd, with serpent tongue 

Organic, or impulse of vocal air, 530 

His fraudulent temptation thus began. 

" Wonder not, sovereign mistress, if perhaps 
Thou canst, who art sole wonder ; much less arm 
Thy looks, the heaven of mildness, with disdain, 
Displeased that I approach thee thus, and gaze 535 

Insatiate, I, thus single; nor have feared 
Thy awful brow, more awful thus retired. 
Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, 
Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine 
By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore, 540 

With ravishment beheld ; there best beheld 
Where universally admired; but here, 
In this inclosure wild, these beasts among, 
Beholders rude, and shallow to discern 
Half what in thee is fair ; one man except, 545 

Who sees thee ? & what is one? who shouldst be seen, 
A goddess among gods, adored and served 
Ay angels numberless, thy daily train." 

So glozed the Tempter, & his proem tuned ; 
Into the heart of Eve his words made way, 550 

Though at the voice much marvelling ; at length, 
Not unamazed, she thus in answer spake. 

''What may this mean? language of man, pronounced 
By tongue of brute, and human sense express'd ! 



PARADISE LC/ST. 



199 



The first, at least, of these I thought denied 555 

To beasts, whom God, on their creation- day, 

Created mute to all articulate sound : 

The latter I demur; for in their looks 

Much reason, & in their actions, oft appears. 

Thee, Serpent, subtlest beast of all the field 560 

I knew, but not with human voice endued ; 

Redouble then this miracle, and say 

How earnest thou speakable of mute ; and how 

To me so friendly grown, above the rest 

Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight: 565 

Say, for such wonder claims attention due." 

To whom the guileful tempter thus replied. 
" Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve, 
Easy to me it is to tell thee all [obeyed. 

What thou commandst, & right thou shouldst be 570 

I was, at first, as other beasts that graze 
The trodden herb, of abject thoughts, and low 
As was my food ; nor ought but food discern 'd, 
Or sex, and apprehended nothing high : 
Till on a day, roving the field, I chanced 575 

A goodly tree, far distant, to behold. 
Loaden with fruit of fairest colours, mix'd 
Ruddy and gold : I nearer drew to gaze, 
When from the boughs a savoury odour blown, 
Grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense 580 

Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats 
Of ewe or goat, dropping with milk at even, 
Unsuck'd of lamb or kid, that tend their play, 
To satisfy the sharp desire I had 
Of tasting those fair apples, I resolved 585 

Not to defer; hunger and thirst at once, 
Powerful persuaders, quicken 'd at the scent 
Of that alluring fruit, urged me so keen 
About the mossy trunk I wound me soon ; 
For, high from ground, the branches would require 590 
Thy utmost reach, or Adam's: round the tree, 
All other beasts that saw, with like desire, 
Longing & envying stood, but could not reach. 
Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung, 
Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 595 

I spared not ; for such pleasure, till that hour, 
At feed or fountain never had I found. 
Sated at length ; ere long I might perceive 
Strange alteration in me, to degree 
Of reason, in my inward powers; & speech 600 

Wanted not long, tho' to this shape retain'd. 



200 PARADISE LOST. 

Thenceforth, to speculations high or deep 

I turn'd my thoughts, & with capacious mind, 

Consider 'd all things visible in Heaven, 

Or earth, or middle, all things fair and good ; 605 

But all that fair and good, in thy divine 

Semblance, & in thy beauty's heavenly ray, 

United I beheld ; no fair to thine 

Equivalent, or second; which compelFd 

Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come 610 

And gaze, and worship thee, of right declar'd 

Sovereign of creatures, universal dame." 

So talk'd the spirited sly Snake : and Eve, 
Yet more amazed, unwary thus replied. 
" Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt 615 

The virtue of that fruit, in thee first proved : 
But say, where grows the tree, from hence hew far? 
For many are the trees of God, that grow 
In Paradise, and various, yet unknown 
To us ; in such abundance lies our choice, 620 

As leaves a greater store of fruit untouch'd, 
Still hanging incorruptible, till men 
Grow up to their provision, and more hands 
Help to disburden nature of her birth." 

To whom the wily Adder, blythe and glad. 625 

" Empress, the way is ready, and not long, 
Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat, 
Fast by a fountain, one small thicket passed 
Of blowing myrrh and balm ; if thou accept 
My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon." 630 

" Lead then," said Eve. He, leading, swiftly roll'd 
In tangles and made intricate seem straight, 
To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy 
Brightens his crest; as when a wandering fire, 
Compact of unctuous vapour, which the night 635 

Condenses, and the cold environs round, 
Kindled, through agitation, to a flame ; 
Which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends, 
Hovering and blazing with delusive light, 
Misleads the amaz'd night-wanderer from his way, 640 

Through bogs & mires, & oft through pond or pool, 
There swallowed up and lost, from succour far : 
So glistered the dire Snake, and into fraud 
Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree 
Of prohibition, root of all our woe : 645 

Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake. 

" Serpent, we might have spared our coming hither, 
Fruitless to me, though fruit be here to excess; 



PARADISE LOST. 



201 



The credit of whose virtue rests with thee, 

Wonderous indeed, if cause of such effects. 650 

But of this tree we may not taste, nor touch ; 

God so commanded ; and left that command 

Sole daughter of his voice ; the rest, we live 

Law to ourselves ; our reason is our law." 

To whom the Tempter guilefully replied. 655 

" Indeed? hath God then said, of the fruit 
Of all these garden trees ye shall not eat. 
Yet Lords declared of all in earth or air V r 

To whom thus Eve, yet sinless. " Of the fruit 
Of each tree in the garden we may eat; 660 

But of the fruit of this fair tree, amidst 
The garden, God hath said, * Ye shall not eat 
Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die.' " 

She scarce had said, though brief, when now more bold, 
The Tempter, but with show of zeal and love 665 

To man, and indignation at his wrong, 
New part puts on ; and as to passion moved, 
Fluctuates disturb'd, yet comely, and in act 
Raised, as of some great matter to begin. 
As when of old some orator renowned, 670 

In Athens or free Rome, where eloquence 
Flourish 'd, since mute, to some great cause address'd, 
Stood in himself collected ; while each part, 
Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue, 
Sometimes in height began, as no delay 675 

Of preface brooking, through his zeal of right : 
So standing, moving, or to height upgrown, 
The Tempter, all impassion'd, thus began. 

" O sacred, wise, and wisdom-giving Plant ! 
Mother Of science ! now I feel thy power 680 

Within me clear, not only to discern 
Things in their causes, but to trace the ways 
Of highest agents, deem'd however wise. 
Queen of this universe, do not believe 
Those rigid threats of death : ye shall not die. 685 

How should ye ? by the fruit ? it gives you life 
To knowledge : by the threatener ? look on me, 
Me, who have touch'd and tasted ; yet both live, 
And life more perfect have attain d than fate 
Meant me, by venturing higher than my lot. 690 

Shall that be shut to Man which to the Beast 
Is open ? or will God incense his ire 
For such a petty trespass, and not praise 
Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain 
Of death denounced, whatever thing death be, 695 



202 PARADISE LOST. 

Deterr'd not from achieving what might lead 
To happier life, knowledge of good and evil ? 
Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil 
Be real, why not known, since easier shunn'd? 
God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just : , 700 

Not just, not God ; not fear'd then, nor obey'd 
Your fear itself of death removes the fear. 
Why then was this forbid ? Why, but to awe, 
Why, but to keep you low and ignorant, 
His worshippers. He knows that in the day 705 

You eat thereof, your eyes, that seem so clear, 
Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then 
Open'd and clear'd ; and ye shall be as gods, 
Knowing both good and evil, as they know. 
That ye shall be as gods, since I as man, 710 

Internal man, is but proportion meet ; 
I of brute, human, ye of human, gods, 
So ye shall d3, perhaps, by putting off 
Human, to put on gods ; death to be wish'd, 
Tho' threaten'd, which no worse than this can bring. 715 

And what are gods, that man may not become 
As they, participating god-like food ? 
The gods are first, and that advantage use, 
On our belief that all from them proceeds : 
I question it, for this fair earth I see, 720 

Warm'd by the sun, producing every kind, 
Them nothing : if they all things, who enclosed 
Knowledge of good and evil in this tree, 
That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains 
Wisdom without their leave ? and wherein lies 725 

The offence, that man should thus attain to know ? 
What can your knowledge hurt him, or this tree 
Impart against his will, if all be his? 
Or is it envy, and can envy dwell 
In heavenly breasts ? These, these, & many more 730 

Causes, import your need of this fair fruit. 
Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste." 
He ended, and his words, replete with guile, 
In to her heart too easy entrance won. 
Fix'd on the fruit she gazed, which to behold 735 

Might tempt alone ; and in her ears the sound 
Yet rung of his persuasive words, imprcgn'd 
With reason, to her seeming, and with truth. 
Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, & waked 
An eager appetite, raised by the smell 740 

So savoury of that fruit, which with desire, 
Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, 



PARADISE LOST. 203 

Solicited lier longing eye ; yet first, 
Pausing awhile, thus to herself she mused. 

" Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits, 745 

Though kept from man, & worthy to be admired ; 
Whose taste, too long forborne, at first essay, 
Gave elocution to the mute, and taught 
The tongue, not made for speech, to speak thy praise : 
Thy praise He also, who forbids thy use, 750 

Conceals not from us, naming thee the tree 
Of knowledge, knowledge both of good & evil : 
Forbids us then to taste ; but his forbidding 
Commends thee more, while it infers the good 
By thee communicated, and our want : 755 

For good unknown, sure, is not had ; or had, 
And yet unknown, is as not had at all. 
In plain then, what forbids he, but to know, 
Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise? 
Such prohibitions bind not. But if death 760 

Bind us with after-bands, what profits then 
Our inward freedom ? In the day we eat 
Of this fair fruit, our doom is, we shall die. 
How dies the serpent? he hath eaten and lives, 
And knows, & speaks, & reasons, & discerns, 7^5 

Irrational till then. For us alone 
Was death invented ? or to us denied 
This intellectual food, for beasts reserved ? 
For beasts it seems : yet that one beast, which first 
Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy 770 

The good befallen him, author unsuspect, 
Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile. 
What fear I then? rather, what know to fear, 
Under this ignorance of good and evil, 
Of God or death, of law or penalty? 775 

Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, 
Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste, 
Of virtue to make wise : what hinders then 
To reach, and feed at once both body & mind V 

So saying, her rash hand, in evil hour, 780 

Forth reaching to the fruit, she pluck'd, she eat : 
Earth felt the wound, & nature from her seat, 
Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe, 
That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk 
The guilty serpent ; and well might, for Eve, 785 

Intent now wholly on her taste, nought else 
Regarded, such delight till then, as seem'd, 
In fruit she never tasted, whether true 
Or fancied so, through expectation high 



204 PARADISE LOST. 

Of knowledge, nor was Godhead from her thought. 790 

Greedily she ingorged without restraint, 
And knew not eating death. Satiate at length, 
And heighten'd as with wine, jocund and boon, 
Thus, to herself, she pleasingly began. 

" O sovereign, virtuous, precious of all trees 795 

In Paradise ! of operation blest 
To sapience, hitherto obscured, infamed, 
And thy fair fruit let hang, as to no end 
Created ; but henceforth my early care, 
Not without song, each morning, & due praise, 800 

Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease 
Of thy full branches, offer'd free to all ; 
Till, dieted by thee, 1 grow mature 
In knowledge as the gods, who all things know ; 
Though others envy what they cannot give ; 805 

For had the gift been theirs, it had not here 
Thus grown. Experience, next to thee I owe, 
Best guide ; not following thee I had remain'd 
In ignorance; thou open'st wisdom's way, 
And givest access, though secret she retire. 810 

And I perhaps am secret : Heaven is high, 
High, and remote, to see from thence distinct 
Each thing on earth ; and other care perhaps 
May have diverted from continual watch 
Our great Forbidder, safe with all his spies 815 

About him. But to Adam, in what sort 
Shall I appear ? Shall I to him make known 
As yet my change, and give him to partake 
Full happiness with me? or rather not, 
But keep the odds of knowledge in my power, 820 

Without co-partner? so to add what wants 
In female sex, the more to draw his love, 
And render me more equal, and perhaps, 
A thing not undesirable, sometime 

Superior; for inferior, who is free? 825 

This may be well : but what if God have seen, 
And death ensue ? then I shall be no more, 
And Adam, wedded to another Eve, 
Shall live with her enjoying ; I extinct : 
A death to think. Confirm'd then, I resolve, 830 

Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe ; 
So dear I love him, that with him, all deaths 
I could endure, without him, live no life." 

So saying, from the tree her steps she turned 
But first low reverence done, as to the power 835 

That dwelt within whose presence had infused 



PARADISE LOST. 



205 



Into the plant sciential sap, derived 

From nectar, drink of gods. Adam the while 

Waiting, desirous her return, had wove 

Of choicest flowers, a garland, to adorn 840 

Her tresses, and her rural labours crown : 

As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. 

Great joy he promised to his thoughts, & new 

Solace in her return, so long delayed: 

Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, 845 

Misgave him ; he the faltering measure felt ; 

And forth to meet her went the way she took 

That morn, when first they parted : by the tree 

Of knowledge he must pass ; there he her met, 

Scarce from the tree returning : in her hand 850 

A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smiled, 

New gather 'd, and ambrosial smell diffused. 

To him she hasted; in her face excuse 

Came prologue, and apology to prompt; 

Which, with bland words at will, she thus address'd. 855 

" Hast thou not wonder'd, Adam, at my stay ? 
Thee I have miss'd, & thought it long, deprived 
Thy presence ; agony of love till now 
Not felt, nor shall be twice ; for never more 
Mean I to try, what, rash, untried I sought, 860 

The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange 
Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear : 
This tree is not, as we are told, a tree 
Of danger, tasted, nor to evil unknown 
Opening the way ; but of divine effect, 865 

To open eyes, and make them gods who taste ; 
And hath been tasted such : the serpent, wise, 
Or not restrain'd as we, or not obeying, 
Hath eaten of the fruit ; and is become 
Not dead, as we are threaten'd, but henceforth 870 

Endued with human voice, and human sense, 
Reasoning to admiration; and with me 
Persuasively hath so prevailed, that I 
Have also tasted, and have also found 
The effects to correspond ; opener mine eyes, 875 

Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart, 
And growing up to godhead ; which for thee 
Chiefly I sought, without thee, can despise. 
For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss, 
Tedious, unshared with thee, and odious soon. 880 

Thou therefore also taste, that equal lot 
May join us, equal joy, as equal love ; 
Lest thou, not tasting, different degree 



PARADISE LOST 

Disjoin us, and I then, too late, renounce 

Deity for thee, when fate will not permit." 835 

Thus Eve with countenance blithe, her story told ; 
But in her cheek distemper, flushing, glow'd 
On the other side, Adam, soon as he heard 
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed, 
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill 890 

Ran through his veins, and all his joints relax'd ; 
From his slack hand the garland, wreath'd for Eve 
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed : 
Speechless he stood, and pale, till thus at length, 
First to himself, he inward silence broke : 895 

" O fairest of creation ! last and best 
Of all God's works ! creature in whom excell'd 
Whatever can to sight, or thought, be form'd, 
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet ! 
How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost, 900 

Defaced, deflowered, & now to death devote ? 
Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress 
The strict forbiddance, how to violate 
The sacred fruit forbidden ? some cursed fraud 
Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown, 905 

And me, with thee, hath ruin'd ; for with thee 
Certain my resolution is to die : 
How can I live without thee, how forego 
Thy sweet converse and love, so dearly join'd, 
To live again in these wild woods forlorn? 910 

Should God create another Eve, and I 
Another rib afford, yet loss of thee 
Would never from my heart; no, no, I feel 
The link of nature draw me : flesh of flesh, 
Bone of my bone thou art, and from thy state 915 

Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe." 

So having said, as one from sad dismay 
Re- comforted, and, after thoughts disturb'd, 
Submitting to what seem'd remediless, 
Thus, in calm mood, his words to Eve he turn'd. 920 

" Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve. 
And peril great provoked, who thus hath dared, 
Had it been only coveting to eye 
That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence, 
Much more to taste it under ban to touch. 925 

But past, who can recal, or done, undo ; 
Not God omnipotent, nor Fate ; yet so 
Perhaps thou shalt not die ; perhaps the fact 
Is not so heinous now ; foretasted fruit, 
Profaned first by the serpent, by him first ^ 30 






PARADISE LOST. 207 

Made common and unhallow'd, ere our taste ; 

Nor yet on him found deadly, he yet lives, 

Lives, as thou said'st, and gains to live as man, 

Higher degree of life, inducement strong 

To us, as likely, tasting, to attain 935 

Proportional ascent ; which cannot be 

But to be gods, or angels demi-gods. 

Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, 

Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy 

Us his prime creatures, dignified so high, 940 

Set over all his works, which in our fall, 

For us created, needs with us must fail, 

Dependant made; so God shall uncreate, 

Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose, 

Not well conceived of God ; who, tho' his powei 945 

Creation could repeat, yet would be loth 

Us to abolish ; lest the Adversary 

Triumph, and say, ■ Fickle their state whom God 

Most favours ; who can please him long ? me first 

He ruin'd ; now mankind ; whom will he next V 950 

Matter of scorn, not to be given the foe. 

However, I with thee have fix'd my lot, 

Certain to undergo like doom ;f if death 

Consort with thee, death is to me as life;] 

So forcible, within my heart, I feel 955 

The bond of nature draw me to my own, 

My own in thee, for what thou art is mine: 

Our state cannot be sever'd ; we are one, 

One flesh ; to lose thee, were to lose myself." 

So Adam, and thus Eve to him replied. 960 

" O glorious trial of exceeding love, 
Illustrious evidence, example high! 
Engaging me to emulate; but short 
Of thy perfection, how shall I attain, 
Adam ? from whose dear side I boast me sprung, 965 

And gladly of our union hear thee speak, 
One heart, one soul in both ; whereof good proof 
This day affords, declaring thee resolved, 
Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, 
Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear, 970 

To undergo with me, one guilt, one crime, 
If any be, of tasting this fair fruit ; 
Whose virtue, for of good still good proceeds, 
Direct, or by occasion, hath presented 
This happy trial of thy love; which else 
So eminently never had been known. 
Were it I thought death menac'd would ensue 



208 PARADISE LOST. 

This my attempt, I would sustain alone 

The worst, and not persuade thee ; rather die 

Deserted, than oblige thee, with a fact 980 

Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly assured 

Remarkably so late, of thy so true, 

So faithful love, unequall'd ; but I feel 

Far otherwise the event ; not death, but life 

Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys ; 985 

Taste so divine, that what of sweet before 

Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, & harsh. 

On my experience, Adam, freely taste, 

And fear of death deliver to the winds." 

So saying, she embraced him, and for joy 990 

Tenderly wept, much won that he his love 
Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur 
Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. 
In recompense, for such compliance bad 
Such recompense best merits, from the bough 995 

She gave him of that fair enticing fruit, 
With liberal hand. He scrupled not to eat, 
Against his better knowledge ; not deceived, 
But fondly overcome with female charm. 
Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 1000 

In pangs, and nature gave a second groan ; 
Sky lower'd, & muttering thunder, some sad drops 
Wept at completing of the mortal sin 
Original; while Adam took no thought, 
Eating his fill; nor Eve to iterate 1005 

Her former trespass fear'd, the more to soothe 
Him with her loved society, that now, 
As with new wine intoxicated both, 
They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel 
Divinity within them, breeding wings 1010 

Wherewith to scorn the earth : but that false fruit 
Far other operation first displayed, 
Carnal desire inflaming; he on Eve 
Began to cast lascivious eyes, she him 
As wantonly repaid; in lust they burn: 1015 

Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move. 

" Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste, 
And elegant, of sapience no small part, 
Since to. each meaning savour we apply, 
And palate call'd judicious; I the praise 1020 

Yield thee, so well, this day, thou hast purvey 'd. 
Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd 
From this delightful fruit, nor known, till now, 
True relish, tasting ; if such pleasure be 



PARADISE LOST 209 

In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd, 1025 

For this one tree had been forbidden ten. 

But come, so well refresh'd, now let us play, 

As meet is, after such delicious fare ; 

For never did thy beauty, since the day 

I saw thee first, and wedded thee, adorn'd 1030 

With all perfections, so inflame my sense 

With ardour to enjoy thee ; fairer now 

Than ever, bounty of this virtuous tree." 

So said he ; and forbore not glance or toy 
Of -amorous intent, well understood 1035 

Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. 
Her hand he seized, and to a shady bank, 
Thick overhead wich verdant roof imbow'rd, 
He led her, nothing loth ; flowers were the couch, 
Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 10-tO 

And hyacinth, earth's freshest, softest lap. 
There they their fill of love, and love's disport 
Took largely ; of their mutual guilt the seal, 
The solace of their sin, till dewy sleep 
Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play. 1045 

Soon as the force of that fallacious fruit, 
That, with exhilarating vapour bland, 
About their spirits had play'd, & inmost powers 
Made err, was now exhal'd ; & grosser sleep, 
Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams 1060 

Encumber'd, now had left them ; up they rose, 
As from unrest, and, each the other viewing, 
Soon found their eyes how open'd, & their minds 
How darken'd; innocence, that, as a veil, 
Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gone, 1056 

Just confidence, and native righteousness, 
And honour, from about them, naked left 
To guilty shame ; ne cover'd ; but his robe 
Uncover'd more. So rose the Danite strong, 
Herculean Samson, from the harlot-lap 1060 

Of Philistean Delilah, and waked 
Shorn of his strength ; they destitute & bare 
Of all their virtue. Silent, and in face 
Confounded, long they sat, as strucken mute ; 
Till Adam, though not less than Eve abash'd, 1065 

At length gave utterance to these words constrain'd. 

" O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear 
To that false worm, of whomsoever taught 
To counterfeit man's voice ; true in our fall, 
False in our promised rising ; since our eyes 1070 

Open'd we find indeed, and find we know 



210 PARADISE LOST. 

Both good and evil ; good lost, and evil got : 
Bad fruit of knowledge, if this be to know, 
Which leaves us naked thus, of honour void, 
Of innocence, of faith, of purity, 1075 

Our wonted ornaments now soiled & stained ; 
And, in our faces, evident the signs 
Of foul concupiscence ; whence evil store ; 
Even shame, the last of evils ; of the first 
Be sure then. How shall I behold the face, 1080 

Henceforth, of God, or Angel, erst with joy 
And rapture so oft beheld ? those heavenly shapes 
Will dazzle now this earthly, with their blaze 
Insufferably bright. O might I here 
In solitude live savage, in some glade 1085 

Obscured, where highest woods, impenetrable 
To star or sun-light, spread their umbrage broad, 
And brown as evening ! Cover me, ye pines, 
Ye cedars, with innumerable boughs, 
Hide me, where I may never see them more! 1090 

But let us now, as in bad plight, devise 
What best may for the present serve to hide 
The parts of each from other, that seem most 
To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen : 
Some tree, whose broad smooth leaves together sew'd, 1095 
And girded on our loins, may cover round 
Those middle parts, that this new comer, shame, 
There sit not, and reproach us as unclean." 
So counseled he : and both together went 
Into the thickest wood ; there soon they chose 1100 

Tne fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd, 
But such as, at this day to Indians known 
In Malabar or Decan, spreads her arms, 
Branching so broad & long, that in the ground 
Tne bended twigs take root, & daughters grow H05 

About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade, 
H"gh over-arch'd, & echoing walks between ; 
There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, 
Shelters in cool, & tends his pasturing herds 
At loopholes, cut through thickest shade. Those leavesll 10 
They gather'd, broad as Amazonian targe, 
And with what skill they had, together sew'd. 
To gird their waist ; vain covering, if to hide 
Their guilt & dreaded shame; O how unlike 
To that first naked glory! Such of late 1115 

Columbus found the American, so girt 
With feather'd cincture, naked else, & wild, 
Amon the trees, on isles & woody shores. 



PARADISE LOST. 



211 



Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part 

Cover'd, but not at rest or ease of mind, 1120 

They sat them down to weep ; nor only tears 

Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within 

Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate, 

Mistrust, suspicion, discord, and shook sore 

Their inward state of mind ; calm region once, 1125 

And full of peace, now toss'd and turbulent : 

For understanding ruled not, and the will 

Heard not her lore ; both in subjection now 

To sensual appetite, who from beneath, 

Usurping over sovereign reason, claimed 1130 

Superior sway ; from thus distemper'd breast, 

Adam, estranged in look and alter'd style, 

Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew 'd. 

" Would thou hadsthearken'd to my words, & stay'd 
With me, as I besought thee, when that strange 1135 

Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, 
I know not whence possess'd thee; we had then 
Remain'd still happy, not as now, despoil'd 
Of all our good, sham'd, naked, miserable. 
Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve 1 1 40 

The faith they owe ; when earnestly they seek 
Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail." 

To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve. 
'• What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe ! 
Imputest thou that to my default, or will 1145 

Of wandering, as thou call'st it, which who knows 
But might as ill have happen'd thou being by, 
Or to thyself, perhaps ? Hadst thou been there, 
Or here the attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd 
Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake ; 1 1 50 

No ground of enmity between us known, 
Why should he mean me ill, or seek to harm. 
Was I to have never parted from thy side ? 
As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. 
Being as I am, why didst not thou, the head, 1155 

Command me absolutely not to go, 
Going into such danger, as thou saidst? 
Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay, 
Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. 
Hadst thou been firm and fix'd in thy dissent, 1160 

Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with me." 

To whom, then first incensed, Adam replied. 
" Is this the love, is this the recompense 
Of mine to thee, ungrateful Eve, express'd 
Immutable when thou wert lost, not I, 1165 



212 PARADISE LOST. 

Who might have lived and joyed immortal bliss, 

Yet willingly chose rather death with thee ? 

And am I now upbraided as the cause 

Of thy transgressing 1 not enough severe, 

It seems, in thy restraint : what could I more ? 1170 

I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold 

The danger, and the lurking enemy 

That lay in wait ; beyond this, had been force, 

And force upon free-will hath here no place. 

But confidence then bore thee on; secure 1175 

Either to meet no danger, or to find 

Matter of glorious trial ; and perhaps 

1 also err'd, in overmuch admiring 

What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought 

No evil durst attempt thee ; but I rue 1180 

That error now, which is become my crime, 

And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befal 

Him, who, to worth in women overtrusting 

Lets her will rule ; restraint she will not brook ; 

And left to herself, if evil thence ensue, 1185 

She first his weak indulgence will accuse." 

Thus they, in mutual accusation, spent 
The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning s 
And of their vain contest appeared no end. 



THE EN J) OF BOOK IX. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK X. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Man's transgression known, the guardian Angels forsake Paradise, 
and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are ap- 
proved ; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by 
them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, who 
descends and gives sentence accordingly ; then in pity clothes them 
both, and re-ascends. Sin and Death sitting till then at the gates 
of Hell, by wondrous sympathy, feeling the success of Satan in 
this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit 
no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the 
place of Man. To make the way easier from Hell to this world, to 
and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according 
to the track that Satan first made ; then, preparing for earth, they 
meet him, proud of his success, returning to Hell ; their mutual 
gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium j in full assembly re- 
lates, with boasting, his success against Man ; instead of applause 
is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed 
with himself suddenly into serpents, according to his doom in Pa- 
radise ; then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing 
up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew 
dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death. God 
foretells the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing 
of all things ; but, for the present, commands his Angels to make 
several alterations in the heavens and elements. Adam, more and 
more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails ; rejects the 
condolementofEve; she persists, and at length appeases him; then, 
to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam 
violent ways, which he approves not, but conceiving better hope, 
puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed 
should be revenged on the Serpent, and exhorts her, with him, to 
seek peace of the offended Deity by repentance and supplication. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK X. 

Meanwhile the heinous and despiteful act 
Of Satan, done in Paradise, and how 
He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve, 
Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, 
Was known in Heaven ; for what can 'scape the eye 6 

Of God, all-seeing, or deceive his heart, 
Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just, 
Hindered not Satan to attempt the mind 
Of man, with strength entire, & free-will arm'd, 
Complete, to have discover'd and repulsed 10 

Whatever wiles of foe, or seeming friend. 
For still they knew, & ought to have still remember' d 
The high injunction, not to taste that fruit, 
Whoever tempted 3 which they, not obeying, 
Incurr'd, what could they less? the penalty, 15 

And, manifold in sin, deserved to fall. 
Up into Heaven, from Paradise, in haste, 
The angelic guards ascended, mute and sad 
For Man 5 for of his state by this they knew, 
Much wond'ring how the subtle Fiend had stolen 20 

Entrance unseen. Soon as the unwelcome news 
From Earth arrived at Heaven gate, displeased 
All were who heard j dim sadness did not spare, 
That time, celestial visages, yet, mix'd 
With pity, violated not their bliss. 25 

About the new arrived, in multitudes, 
The ethereal people ran, to hear and know 
How all befell: they, towards the throne supreme 
Accountable, made haste to make appear, 
With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, 30 

And easily approved: when the Most High 
Eternal Father, from his secret cloud 
Amidst, in thunder utter'd thus his voice. 

" Assembled Angels, and ye Powers return'd 
From unsuccessful charge, be not dismay'd, 35 

Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth j 
Which your sincerest care could not prevent, 



216 PARADISE LOST. 

Foretold so lately what would come to pass, 

When first this tempter cross'd the gulf from Hell. 

1 told ye then, he should prevail, and speed 40 

On his bad errand ; Man should be seduced, 

And flattered out of all, believing lies 

Against his Maker ; no decree of mine 

Concurring to necessitate his fall, 

Or touch with lightest moment of impulse, 45 

His free-will, to her own inclining left, 

In even scale. But fallen he is ; and now 

What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass 

On his transgression, death denounced that day ? 

Which he presumes already vain and void, 50 

Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, 

By some immediate stroke ; but soon shall find 

Forbearance no acquittance, ere day end. 

Justice shall not return, as bounty, scorn'd. 

But whom send I to judge them ? Whom but thee, 55 

Vicegerent Son ? to thee I have transferr'd 

All judgment, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. 

Easy it might be seen that I intend 

Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee, 

Man's Friend, his Mediator, his design'd 60 

Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntary, 

And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen." 

So spake the Father, and unfolding bright 
Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son 
Blazed forth unclouded Deity ; he full 65 

Resplendent all his Father manifest 
Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild. 

" Father eternal, thine is to decree, 
Mine, both in Heaven & Earth, to do thy will 
Supreme ; that thou in me thy Son beloved, 70 

May'st ever rest well pleased. I go to judge 
On earth these thy transgressors, but thou know'st, 
Whoever judged, the worst on me must light, 
When time shall be, for so I undertook 
Before thee ; and not repenting, this obtain 75 

Of right, that I may mitigate their doom, 
On me derived ; yet 1 shall temper so 
Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most 
Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. 
Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 

Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, 
Those two ; the third, best absent, is condemn'd, 
Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : 
Conviction to the serpent none belongs." 



PARADISE LOST. 



217 



Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose 85 

Of high collateral glory : him thrones, & powers. 
Princedoms, and dominations ministrant, 
Accompanied to Heaven gate ; from whence 
Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. 
Down he descended straight ; the speed of gods 90 

Time counts not, tho' with swiftest minutes wir.gM. 
Now was the sun in western cadence low 
From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, 
To fan the earth now waked, and usher in 
The evening cool ; when he from wrath more cool, 95 

Came the mild Judge, and Intercessor both, 
To sentence man : the voice of God they heard, 
Now walking in the garden, by soft winds 
Brought to their ears, while day declined; they heard, 
And from his presence hid themselves among 100 

The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God 
Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud. 

" Where art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet 
My coming, seen far off? I miss thee here, 
Not pleased, thus entertained with solitude, 105 

Where obvious duty ere while appear'd unsought : 
Or come I less conspicuous, or what change 
Absents thee, or what chance detains ? Come forth." 

He came, &with him Eve, more loath, though first 
To offend, discountenanced both, & discomposed j 110 

Love was not in their looks, either to God, 
Or to each other ; but apparent guilt, 
And shame, and perturbation, and despair, 
Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. 
Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief. 115 

" I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 
Afraid, being naked, hid myself." To whom 
The gracious Judge, without revile, replied. 
" My voice thou oft hast heard, & hast not fear'd, 
But still rejoiced : how is it now become 120 

So dreadful to thee ? that thou art naked, who 
Hath told thee ? hast thou eaten of the tree, 
Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat V 
To whom thus Adam, sore beset, replied. 
" O Heaven ! in evil strait this day I stand 125 

Before my Judge, either to undergo 
Myself the total crime, or to accuse 
My other self, the partner of my life ; 
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, 
F. should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 

By my complaint ; but strict necessity 



218 PARADISE LOST. 

Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, 

Lest on my head both sin and punishment, 

However insupportable, be all 

Devolved : though should I hold my peace, yet thou 135 

Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. 

This woman, whom thou madest to be my help, 

And gavest me as thy perfect gift, so good, 

So fit, so acceptable, so divine, 

That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 

And what she did, whatever in itself, 

Her doing seem'd to justify the deed ; 

She gave me of the tree, and I did eat." 

To whom the sovereign Presence thus replied. 
' Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145 

Before his voice, or was she made thy guide, 
Superior, or but equal, that to her 
Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place 
Wherein God set thee above her, made of thee, 
And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 150 

Her's, in all real dignity? Adorn'd 
She was indeed, and lovely to attract 
Thy love, not thy subjection ; and her gifts 
Were such as, under government, well seem'd, 
Unseemly to bear rule, which was thy part 155 

And person, hadst thou known thyself aright." 

So having said, he thus to Eve in few. 
" Say woman, what is this which thou hast done V 

To whom sad Eve, with shame nigh overwhelmed, 
Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 160 

Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd, replied. 

"The serpent me beguiled, and I did eat." 

Which, when the Lord God heard, without delay, 
To judgment he proceeded, on the accused 
Serpent, though brute, unable to transfer 165 

The guilt on him, who made him instrument 
Of mischief, and polluted from the end 
Of his creation ; justly then accursed, 
As vitiated in nature. More to know 
Concern'd not man, since he no further knew, 170 

Nor alter'd his offence ; yet God at last 
To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied, 
Though in mysterious terms, judged as then best : 
And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall. 

" Because thou hast done this, thou art accursed ] 75 

Above all cattle, each beast of the field ; 
Upon thy belly grovelling thou shalt go, 
And dust shalt eat, all the days of thy life. 



PARADISE LOST. 



219 



Between thee and the woman I will put 

Enmity, and between thine and her seed; 180 

Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel." 

So spake this Oracle, then verified 
When Jesus, son of Mary, second Eve, 
Saw Satan fall like lightning, down from Heaven, 
Prince of the air ; then rising from his grave, 185 

Spoil'd principalities and powers, triumph'd 
In open show, and, with ascension bright, 
Captivity let captive through the air, 
The realm itself of Satan, long usurp'd ; 
Whom he shall tread at last under our feet, 190 

Even he, who now foretold his fatal bruise ; 
And to the woman thus his sentence turn'd. 
" Thy sorrow I will greatly multiply, 
By thy conception ; children thou shalt bring 
In sorrow forth; and to thy husband's will 195 

Thine shall submit ; he over thee shall rule." 
On Adam last thus judgment he pronounced. 
" Because thou hast hearken' d to the voice of thy wife 
And eaten of the tree, concerning which 
I charged thee, saying, * Thou shalt not eat thereof ;» 200 

Cursed is the ground for thy sake ; thou, in sorrow, 
Shalt eat thereof, all the days of thy life; 
Thorns also, & thistles, it shall bring thee forth, 
Unbid ; & thou shalt eat the herb of the field, 
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 205 

Till thou return unto the ground; for thou 
Out of the ground wast taken ; know thy birth, 
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return." 

So judged he man, both Judge & Saviour sent ; 
And the instant stroke of death, denounc'd that day 210 

Remov'd fai off; then pitying how they stood 
Before him, naked to the air, that now 
Must suffer change, disdained not to begin, 
Thenceforth, the form of Servant to assume, 
As when he wash'd his servants' feet ; so now 215 

As Father of his family, he clad 
Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, 
Or, as the snake, with youthful coat repaid ; 
And thought not much to clothe his enemies : 
Nor he their outward only, with the skins 220 

Of beasts, but inward nakedness, much more 
Opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness, 
Arraying, cover'd from his Father's sight. 
To him, with swift ascent, he up return'd, 
Into his blissful bosom re-assumed 225 



220 FARAD1SE LOST. 

A glory, as of old; to him appeased, 

All, though all-knowing, what had pass'd with Mai* 

Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. 

Meanwhile, ere thus was sinn'd & judg'd on earth, 
Within the gates of Hell sat Sin and Death, 230 

In counter- view within the gates, that now 
Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame, 
Far into Chaos, since the Fiend pass'd through, 
Sin opening, who thus now to Death began. 

" O Son, why sit we here, each other viewing 235 

Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives 
In other worlds, & happier seat provides 
For us, his offspring dear? It cannot be 
But that success attends him ; if mishap, 
Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven 240 

By his avengers, since, no place like this 
Can fit his punishment, or their revenge. 
Methinks I feel new strength within me rise ; 
Wings growing, and dominion given me, large 
Beyond this deep ; whatever draws me on, 245 

Or sympathy, or some connatural force, 
Powerful at greatest distance to unite, 
With secret amity, things of like kind, 
By secretest conveyance ; thou, my shade 
Inseparable, must with me along : 250 

For Death from Sin no power can separate. 
But lest the difficulty of passing back 
Stay his return, perhaps over this gulf 
Impassable, impervious, let us try, . 
Adventrous work, yet to thy power & mine 255 

Not unagreeable, to found a path 
Over this main, from Hell, to that new world 
Where Satan now prevails; a monument 
Of merit high, to all the infernal host; 
Easing their passage hence, for intercourse, 260 

Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. 
Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn, 
By this new-felt attraction and instinct." 

Whom thus the meagre Shadow answer'd soon. 
" Go whither fate, and inclination strong-, 265 

Leads thee; I shall not lag behind, nor err 
The way, thou leading ; such a scent I draw 
Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 
The savour of Death, from all things there that Jive : 
Nor shall I, to the work thou enterprisest, 270 

Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid." 

So saying, with delight, he snufF'd the smell 



PARADISE LOST. 221 

Of mortal change on earth. As when a flock 

Of ravenous fowl, though many a league remote, 

Against the day of battle, to a field, 275 

Where armies lie encamp'd, come flying lured 

With scent of living carcases, design'd 

For death, the following day, in bloody fight : 

So scented the grim Feature, and upturned 

His nostrils wide into the murky air, 280 

Sagacious of his quarry from so far. 

Then both from out Hell- gates into the waste 

Wide anarchy of Chaos, damp and dark, 

Flew diverse ; and with power, their power was great, 

Hovering upon the waters, what they met, 285 

Solid or slimy, as in raging sea 

Toss'd up and down, together crowded drove, 

From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell : 

As when two polar winds, blowing adverse, 

Upon the Cronian sea, together drive 290 

Mountains of ice, that stop the imagin'd way, 

Beyond Petzora, eastward, to the rich 

Cathaian coast. The aggregated soil, 

Death, with his mace petrific, cold and dry, 

As with a trident, smote, and fix'd as firm 295 

As Delos, floating once; the rest, his look 

Bound, with Gorgonian rigour, not to move ; 

And with Asphaltic slime, broad as the gate, 

Deep to the roots of Hell the gather'd beach 

They fasten'd ; & the mole immense wrought on, 300 

Over the foaming deep, high arch'd, a bridge, 

Of length prodigious, joining to the wall, 

Immoveable, of this new fenceless world, 

Forfeit to death; from hence, a passage broad, 

Smooth, easy, inoffensive, down to Hell. 305 

So, if great things to small may be compared, 

Xerxes, the liberty of Greece to yoke, 

From Susa his Memnonian palace high, 

Came to the sea; and, over Hellespont 

Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd, 310 

And scourged with many a stroke the indignant waves. 

Now had they brought the work, by wondrous art 

Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock, 

Over the vex'd abyss, following the track 

Of Satan, to the self-same place, where he 315 

First lighted from his wing, and landed safe 

From out of Chaos, to the outside bare 

Of this round world • with pins of adamant, 

And chains, they made all fast; too fast they made 



222 PARADISE LOST. 

And durable ; and now, in little space, 320 

The confines met of empyrean Heaven, 
And of this world; and on the left hand, Hell 
With long reach interposed ; three several ways, 
In sight, to each of these three places led. 
And now their way to earth they had descry'd, 325 

To Paradise first tending, when, behold 
Satan in likeness of an angel bright, 
Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering 
His zenith, while the sun in Aries rose : 
Disguis'd he came ; but those, his children dear 330 

Their parent soon discern'd, though in disguise. 
He, after Eve seduced, unminded, slunk 
Into the wood fast by; and changing shape 
To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act, 
By Eve, though all unweeting, seconded 335 

Upon her husband ; saw their shame that sought 
Vain covertures ; but when he saw descend 
The Son of God to judge them, terrified 
He fled, not hoping to escape, but shun 
The present, fearing, guilty, what his wrath 34C 

Might suddenly inflict : that past, return'd 
By night, and listening, where the hapless pair 
Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint, 
Thence gather'd his own doom; which understood, 
Not instant, but of future time, with joy 345 

And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd ; 
And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot 
Of this new wonderous pontifice, unhop'd, 
Met, who to meet him came, his offspring dear. 
Great joy was at their meeting ; and, at sight 350 

Of that stupendous bridge, his joy increased. 
Long he admiring stood, till Sin, his fair 
Enchanting daughter, thus the silence broke. 
" O parent ! these are thy magnific deeds, 
Thy trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own ; 355 

Thou art their author, and prime architect : 
For I no sooner in my heart divined 
(My heart, which, by a secret harmony, 
Still moves with thine, join'd in connection sweet,) 
That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks 360 

Now also evidence, but straight I felt, 
Though distant from thee worlds between, yet felt 
That I must after thee, with this thy son, 
Sucli fatal consequence unites us three : 
Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 365 

Nor this unvoyageable gulf obscure 



TARADI^E LOST. 223 

Detain from following thy illustrious track. 

Thou hast achieved our liberty, confined 

Within Hell-gates till now ; thou us empower 'd 

To fortify thus far, and overlay 370 

With this portentous bridge, the dark abyss. 

Thine now is all this world ; thy virtue hath won 

What thy hands builded not ; thy wisdom gain'd 

With odds, what war hath lost, and fully avenged 

Our foil in Heaven : here thou shalt monarch reign, 375 

There didst not ; there let Him still victor sway, 

As battle hath adjudged, from this new world 

Retiring, by his own doom alienated ; 

And henceforth monarchy with thee divide 

Of all things parted by the empyreal bounds, 380 

His quadrature, from thy orbicular world; 

Or try thee now more dangerous to his throne." 

Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answer'd,glad. 
" Fair daughter, and thou son and grandchild both, 
High proof ye now have given to be the race 385 

Of Satan, for I glory in the name, 
Antagonist of Heaven's almighty King, 
Amply have merited of me, of all 
The infernal empire, that so near Heaven's door, 
Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 390 

Mine with this glorious work, and made one realm, 
Hell and this world, one realm, one continent 
Of easy thoroughfare. Therefore, while I 
Descend through darkness, on your road with ease, 
To my associate powers, them to acquaint 395 

With these successes, and with them rejoice, 
You two this way, among these numerous orbs, 
All yours, right down to Paradise descend ; 
There dwell and reign in bliss, thence on the earth 
Dominion exercise, and in the air, 400 

Chiefly on Man, sole lord of all declared, 
Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly, kill. 
My substitutes I send ye, and create 
Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might, 
Issuing from me ; on your joint vigour now 405 

My hold of this new kingdom all depends, 
Through Sin to Death exposed by my exploit. 
If your joint power prevails, the affairs of Hell 
No detriment need fear ; go, and be strong." 

So saying, he dismiss'd them : they, with speed, 410 

Their course through thickest constellations held, 
Spreading their bane : the blasted stars looked wan ; 
Arid planets, planet-struck, r^al eclipse 



224 PARADISE LOST. 

Then suffer'd. The other way Satan went down 

The cause-way to Hell-gate : on either side 4 1 5 

Disparted Chaos over-built, exclaim'd, 

And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, 

That scorn'd his indignation : through the gate, 

Wide open and unguarded, Satan pass'd, 

And all about found desolate; for those 420 

Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, 

Flown to the upper world ; the rest were all 

Far to the inland retired, about the walls 

Of Pandemonium, city and proud seat 

Of Lucifer, so by allusion called, » i'2j 

Of that bright star to Satan paragon' d : 

There kept their watch the legions, while the grand 

In council sat, solicitous what chance 

Might intercept their emperor sent; so he 

Departing, gave command, and they observ'd. 4 30 

As when the Tartar from his Russian foe, 

By Astracan, over the snowy plains, 

Retires, or Bactrian Sophi, from the horns 

Of Turkish crescent, leaves all waste beyond 

The realm of Aladule, in his retreat 435 

To Taurus or Casbin : so these, the late 

Heaven-banish'd host, left desert utmost Hell, 

Many a dark league, reduced in careful watch, 

Round their metropolis, and now, expecting 

Each hour their great adventurer, from the search 440 

Of foreign worlds : he, through the midst, unmark'd, 

In show plebeian angel militant, 

Of lowest order, pass'd ; and from the door 

Of that Plutonian hall, invisible, 

Ascended his high throne, which, under state 445 

Of richest texture spread, at the upper end 

Was placed in regal lustre. Down a while 

He sat, and round about him saw, unseen : 

At last, as from a cloud, his fulgent head 

And shape, star-bright, appear'd, or brighter, clad 450 

With what permissive glory, since his fall 

Was left him, or false glitter. All amazed, 

At that so sudden blaze, the Stygian throng 

Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd, beheld, 

Their mighty chief return'd. Loud was the acclaim ; 455 

Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting peers, 

Raised from the dark divan, and with like jov, 

Congratulant, approach'd him ; who, with hand 

Silence, and with these words, attention won. 

"Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, 460 



PARADISE LOST. 225 

For in possession such, not only of right, 

I call , ye, and declare ye now, return'd 

Successful, beyond hope, to lead ye forth, 

Triumphant, out of this infernal pit, 

Abominable, accursed, the house of woe 465 

And dungeon of our Tyrant : now possess., 

As lords, a spacious world, to our native Heaven 

Little inferior, by my adventure hard, 

With peril great achieved. Long were to tell 

What I have done, what suffer'd ; with what pain 470 

Voyag'd the unreal, vast, unbounded deep 

Of horrible confusion ; over which, 

By Sin and Death, a broad way now is paved, 

To expedite your glorious march; but I 

Toil'd out my uncouth passage, forc'd to ride 475 

The untractable abyss, plung'd in the womb 

Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wild, 

That, jealous of their secrets, fiercely oppos'd 

My journey strange, with clamorous uproar, 

Protesting Fate supreme ; thence, how I found 480 

The new-created world, which fame in Heaven 

Long had foretold, a fabric wonderful, 

Of absolute perfection, therein Man 

Placed in a Paradise, by our exile 

Made happy : him, by fraud, I have seduced 485 

From his Creator, and, the more to increase 

Your wonder, with an apple. He, thereat 

Offended, worth your laughter, hath given up 

Both his beloved man, and all his world, 

To Sin and Death a prey; and so to us, 490 

Without our hazard, labour, or alarm, 

To range in, and to dwell, and over man 

To rule, as over all he should have ruled. 

True is, me also he hath judged; or rather 

Me not, but the brute serpent, in whose shape 495 

Man I deceived : that which to me belongs 

Is enmity, which he will put between 

Me and mankind ; I am to bruise his heel ; 

His seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head : 

A world, who would not purchase with a bruise, 500 

Or much more grievous pain ? Ye have the account 

Of my performance : what remains, ye gods, 

But up, and enter now into full bliss?" 

So having said, a while he stood, expecting 
Their universal shout, and high applause 505 

To fill his ear ; when contrary, he hears 
On all sides, from innumerable tongues, 



226 PARADISE LOST 

A dismal universal hiss, the sound 
01 public scorn; he wondered, but not long 
Had leisure, wondering at himself now more : 510 

His visage drawn, he felt, to sharp and spare, 
His arms clung to his ribs, his legs entwining 
Each other, till supplanted, down he fell, 
A monstrous serpent on his belly prone, 
Reluctant, but in vain ; a greater Power 515 

Now ruled him punish'd in the shape he sinn'd, 
According to his doom. He would have spoke, 
But hiss for hiss return'd, with forked tongue 
To forked tongue ; for now were all transform' d 
Alike, to serpents ; all, as accessories 520 

To his bold riot. Dreadful was the din 
Of hissing through the hall, thick swarming now 
With complicated monsters, head and tail, 
Scorpion and Asp, and Amphisbsena dire, 
Cerastes horn'd, Hydrus, and Elops, drear, 525 

And Dipsas (not so thick swarm'd once the soil 
Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the isle 
Ophiusa) : but still greatest he the midst, 
Now dragon grown, larger than whom the sun 
Engender'd in the Pythian vale, on slime, 530 

Huge Python, and his power no less he seem'd 
Above the. iest, still to retain ; they all 
Him follow'd, issuing forth to the open field, 
Where all yet left of that revolted rout, 
Heav'n-falTn, in station stood, or just array, 535 

' Sublime with expectation, when to see, 
In triumph issuing forth, their glorious chief; 
They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd 
Of ugly serpents; horror on them fell, 
And horrid sympathy ; for what they saw, ' 540 

They felt themselves now changing ; down their arms 
Down fell both spear & shield, down they as fast, 
And the dire hiss renew' d, and the dire form 
Catch'd by contagion ; like in punishment, 
As in their crime. Thus was th' applause they meant 545 
Turn'd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame, 
Cast on themselves from their own mouths. There stood 
A grove hard by, sprung up with this their change, 
His will who reigns above, to aggravate 
Their penance, laden with fruit, like that 550 

Which grew in Paradise, the bait of Eve 
Used by the tempter. On that prospect strange 
Their earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining 
For one forbidden tree, a multitude 



paradise lost. 227 

Now risen, to work tltem further woe or shame ; 555 

Yet parch'd with scalding thirst, and hunger fierce, 

Though to delude them sent, could not abstain ; 

But on they roll'd in heaps, and up the trees 

Climbing, sat thicker than the snaky locks 

That curl'd Megaera; greedily they pluck 'd 560 

The fruitage fair to sight ; like that which grew 

Near that bituminous lake where Sodom flam'd ; 

This more delusive, not the touch, but taste 

Deceived ; they, fondly thinking to allay 

Their appetite with gust, instead of fruit, 565 

Chew'd bitter ashes, which, the offended taste 

With spattering noise, rejected : oft they assay 'd, 

Hunger and thirst constraining, drugg'd as oft, 

With hatefullest disrelish writh'd their jaws 

With soot and cinders fill'd ; so oft they fell 570 

Into the same illusion ; not as Man 

Whom they triumph'd once laps'd. Thus were they plagued, 

And worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss, 

Till their lost shape, permitted, they resumed, 

Yearly enjoin'd, some say to undergo 575 

This annual humbling, certain number'd days, 

To dash their pride and joy, for man seduced. 

However, some tradition they dispersed 

Among the Heathen, of their purchase got ; 

And fabled how the Serpent, whom they call'd 580 

Ophion, with Eurynome, the wide 

Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule 

Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driven 

And Ops, ere yet Dictsean Jove was born. 

Meanwhile, in Paradise the hellish pair 585 

Too soon arrived, Sin there in power before, 
Once actual, now in body, and to dwell 
Habitual habitant; behind her Death, 
Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet 
On his pale horse ; to whom Sin thus began. 590 

" Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death, 
What think'st thou of our empire now, though earn'd 
With travail difficult; not better far 
Than still at Hell's dark threshold to have sat watch, 
Unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half-starved V* 595 

Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answered soon. 
"To me, who with eternal famine pine, 
Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven; 
There best, where most with ravine I may meet ; 
Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems 600 

To stuff this maw, this vast unhide-bound corps." 

q 2 



f 228 , PARADISE LOST. 

To whom the incestuous mother thus replied. 
" Thou therefore on these herbs, 81 fruits, & flowers 
Feed firsts on each beast next, and fish and fowl, 
No homely morsels j and whatever thing 605 

The scythe of Time mows down, devour unspared j 
Till I, in man residing, through the race, 
His thoughts, his looks, words, actions, all infect, 
And season him, thy last and sweetest prey." 

This said, they both betook them several ways, 610 
Both to destroy, or un-immortal make 
All kinds, and for destruction to mature, 
Sooner or later : which the Almighty seeing, 
From his transcendant seat, the saints among, 
To those bright orders utter'd thus his voice. 615 

" See, with what heat these dogs of Hell advance, 
To waste and havoc yonder world, which I 
So fair and good created j and had still 
Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man 
Let in these wasteful furies, who impute 620 

Folly to me, so doth the prince of Hell, 
And his adherents, that, with so much ease, 
I suffer them to enter, and possess 
A place so heavenly, & conniving seem, 
To gratify my scornful enemies, 625 

That laugh, as if transported with some fit 
Of passion, I to them had quitted all, 
At random yielded up to their misrule 
And know not, that I call'd & drew them thither, 
My hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth, 630 

Which man's polluting sin with taint hath shed 
On what was pure j till cramm'd & gorged, nigh burst, 
With suck'd and glutted offal, at one sling 
Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son, 
Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave at last, 635 

Through Chaos hurl'd, obstruct the mouth of Hell 
For ever, and seal up his ravenous jaws. 
Then Heaven & Earth, renew'd, shall be made pure 
To sanctity, that shall receive no stain : 
Till then, the curse pronounced on both precedes." 640 
He ended ; and the heavenly audience loud 
Sung Hallelujah, as the sound of seas, 
Through multitude that sung : " Just are thy ways, 
Righteous are thy decrees on all thy works; 
Who can extenuate thee ?" Next, to the Son, 645 

" Destined Restorer of Mankind, by whom 
New Heaven & Earth shall to the ages rise, 
Or down from Heaven descend." Such was then song; 



TARADISE LOST. 229 

While the Creator, calling forth by name 

His mighty angels, gave them several charge, 650 

As sorted best with present things. The sun 

Had first his precept, so to move, so shine, 

As might affect the earth with cold and heat, 

Scarce tolerable ; and from the north to call 

Decrepit winter, from the south to bring 655 

Solstitial summer's heat. To the blank moon 

Her office they prescribed ; to the other five, 

Their planetary motions, and aspects, 

In sextile, square, and trine, and opposite, 

Of noxious efficacy ; and when to join 660 

In synod unbenign ; and taught the fix'd, 

Their influence malignant, when to shower, 

Which of them rising with the sun, or falling, 

Should prove tempestuous. To the winds they set 

Their corners, when with bluster to confound 665 

Sea, air, and shore ; the thunder when to roll 

With terror, through the dark aerial hall. 

Some say, he bid his angels turn askance 

The poles of earth, twice ten degrees & more, 

From the sun's axle : they, with labour, push'd 670 

Oblique the centric globe. Some say the sun 

Was bid turn reins from the equinoctial road, 

Like distant breadth to Taurus, with the seven 

Atlantic Sisters, and the Spartan Twins, 

Up to the Tropic Crab : thence down amain, 675 

By Leo, and the Virgin, and the Scales, 

As deep as Capricorn, to bring in change 

Of seasons to each clime ; else had the Spring 

Perpetual smiled on earth with verdant flowers, 

Equal in days and nights, except to those 680 

Beyond the polar circles ; to them, day 

Had unbenighted shone, while the low sun, 

To recompense his distance, in their sight 

Had rounded still the horizon, and not known 

Or east or west, which had forbid the snow 685 

From cold Estotiland, and south as far, 

Beneath Magellan. At that tasted fruit, 

The sun, as from Thyestean banquet, turn'd 

His course intended ; else how had the world 

Inhabited, though sinless, more than now 690 

Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat? 

These changes in the Heavens, though slow, produced 

Like change on seas & land ; sideral blast 

Vapour, and mist, and exhalation hot, 

Corrupt, and pestilent. Now from the north 695 



230 PARADISE LOST 

Of Norumbega, and the Samoed shore, 

Bursting their brazen dungeon, arm'd with ice, 

And snow, and hail, and stormy gust, and flaw, 

Boreas and Csecias, and Argestes loud, 

And Thrascias, rend the woods, & seas upturn ; 700 

With adverse blast upturns them, from the south, 

Notus and Afer, black with thunderous clouds 

From Serraliona ; thwart of these, as fierce, 

Forth rush the Levant, & the Ponent winds, 

Eurus and Zephyr, with their lateral noise, 705 

Sirocco, and Libecchio. Thus began 

Outrage from lifeless things ; but Discord first, 

Daughter of Sin, among the irrational 

Death introduced through fierce antipathy : 

Beast now with beast 'gan war, & fowl with fowl, 710 

And fish with fish ; to graze the herb all leaving, 

Devour'd each other ; nor stood much in awe 

Of man, but fled him, or, with countenance grim, 

Glared on him passing. These were, from without 

The growing miseries, which Adam saw 715 

Already in part, though hid in gloomiest shade, 

To sorrow abandon'd ; but worse felt within, 

And in a troubled sea of passion tost, 

Thus to disburden sought, with sad complaint. 

" O miserable of happy ! is this the end 720 

Of this new glorious world, and me, so late 
The glory of that glory, who now become 
Accursed of blessed ? Hide me from the face 
Of God, whom to behold was then my height 
Of happiness ; yet well, if here would end 725 

The misery : I deserved it ; and would bear 
My own deservings ; but this will not serve ; 
All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget, 
Is propagated curse. O voice once heard 
Delightfully, ' Increase and multiply/ 730 

Now death to hear ! for what can I increase, 
Or multiply, but curses on my head? 
Who, of all ages to succeed, but feeling 
The evil on him brought by me, will curse 
My head? Ill fare our ancestor impure, 735 

For this we may thank Adam ; but his thanks 
Shall be the execration ; so besides 
Mine own that bide upon me, all from me 
Shall, with a fierce reflux, on me redound, 
On me, as on their natural centre, light 740 

Heavy, though in their place. O fleeting joys 
Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes ! 



PARADISE LOST. 231 

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay 

To mould me Man ? did I solicit thee 

From darkness to promote me, or here place, 745 

In this delicious garden? as my will 

Concurr'd not to my being, it were but right, 

And equal, to reduce me to my dust, 

Desirous to resign, and render back 

All I received ; unable to perform 750 

Thy terms, too hard, by which I was to hold 

The good I sought not. To the loss of that, 

Sufficient penalty, why hast thou added 

The sense of endless woes? Inexplicable 

Thy justice seems ; yet, to say truth, too late 755 

I thus contest ; then should have been refused 

Those terms whatever, when they were proposed. 

Thou didst accept them ; wilt thou enjoy the good 

Then cavil the conditions ? and, though God 

Made thee without thy leave, what if thy son 760 

Prove disobedient, and reproved, retort, 

Wherefore didst thou beget me ? I sought it not : 

Wouldst thou admit, for his contempt of thee, 

That proud excuse ? yet him, not thy election, 

But natural necessity, begot. 765 

God made thee, of choice his own, & of his own 

To serve him ; thy reward was of his grace ; 

Thy punishment then, justly is at his will. 

Be it so, for I submit; his doom is fair 

That dust I am, and shall to dust return. 770 

O welcome hour whenever ! why delays 

His hand to execute what his decree 

Fix'd on this day? why do I overlive? 

Why am I mock'd with death, & lengthen'd out 

To deathless pain ? how gladly would I meet 775 

Mortality, my sentence, and be earth 

Insensible ! how glad would lay me down, 

As in my mother's lap ! there I should rest 

And sleep secure : his dreadful voice no more 

Would thunder in my ears ; no fear of worse 780 

To me and to my offspring, would torment me, 

With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt 

Pursues me still, lest all I cannot die; 

Lest that pure breath of life, the spirit of Man, 

Which God inspired, cannot together perish 785 

With this corporeal clod ; then in the grave, 

Or in some other dismal place, who knows 

But I shall die a living death 1 O thought 

Horrid, if true ! yet why ? it was but breath 



232 PARADISE LOST. 

Of life that sinned ; what dies, but what had life 790 

And sin ? the body properly hath neither. 

All of me then shall die : let this appease 

The doubt, since human reach no further knows. 

For though the Lord of all be infinite, 

Is his wrath also ? be it; Man is not so, 795 

But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise 

Wrath without end on Man, whom death must end? 

Can he make deathless death ? that were to make 

Strange contradiction, which to God himself 

Impossible is held, as argument S00 

Of weakness, not of power. Will he draw out, 

For anger's sake, finite to infinite 

In punish 'd man, to satisfy his rigour, 

Satisfied never ? that were to extend 

His sentence beyond dust, & nature's law 805 

By which all causes else, according still 

To the reception of their matter, act, 

Not to the extent of their own sphere. But say 

That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, 

Bereaving sense, but endless misery, 810 

From this day onward, which I feel begun 

Both in me, and without me, and so last 

To perpetuity. Ah me, that fear 

Comes thundering back with dreadful revolution 

On my defenceless head ! both Death and I 815 

Am found eternal, and incorporate both ; 

Nor I on my part single; in me all 

Posterity stands cursed. Fair patrimony 

That I must leave ye, sons ! O were I able 

To waste it all myself, and leave ye none ! 820 

So disinherited, how would ye bless 

Me, now your curse. Ah, why should all mankind, 

For one man's fault, thus guiltless, be condemn 'd, 

If guiltless ? But from me, what can proceed, 

But all corrupt, both mind and will deprav'd, 825 

Not to do only, but to will, the same 

With me ? how can they then acquitted stand 

In sight of God? Him after all disputes, 

Forced, I absolve : all my evasions vain, 

And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still 830 

But to my own conviction : first and last 

On me, me only, as the source and spring 

Of all corruption, all the blame lights due ; 

So might the wrath. Fond wish ! couldst thou support 

That burden, heavier than the earth to bear, 835 

Than all the world much heavier, though divided 



PARADISE LOST. 



233 



With that bad woman 1 Thus what thou desirest, 

And what thou fear'st, alike destroys all hope 

Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable, 

Beyond all past example, and future, 840 

To Satan only like, both crime and doom. 

conscience, into what abyss of fears 

And horrors hast thou driven me ! out of which 

1 find no way, from deep to deeper plunged." 

Thus Adam, to himself, lamented loud 845 

Through the still night ; not now, as ere man fell, 
Wholesome, & cool, & mild, but with black air 
Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom ; 
Which, to his evil conscience, represented 
All things with double terror. On the ground 850 

Outstretched he lay, on the cold ground, & oft 
Curs'd his creation; death as oft accused 
Of tardy execution, since denounced 
The day of his offence. " Why comes not death," 
Said he, " with one thrice-acceptable stroke 855 

To end me ? Shall truth fail to keep her word ? 
Justice divine not hasten to be just? 
But death comes not at call ; justice divine 
Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries. 

woods, O fountains, hillocks, dales, & bowers, 860 
With other echo, late, I taught your shades 

To answer, and resound far other song !" 

Whom, thus afflicted, when sad Eve beheld, 

Desolate where she sat, approaching nigh, 

Soft words, to his fierce passion, she essay 'd : 865 

But her, with stern regard, he thus repell'd. 

" Out of my sight, thou serpent ! that name best 
Befits thee, with him leagued, thyself as false 
And hateful : nothing wants, but that thy shape, 
Like his, and colour serpentine, may show 870 

Thy inward fraud, to warn all creatures from thee 
Henceforth ; lest that too heavenly form, pretended, 
To hellish falsehood snare them. But for thee, 

1 had persisted happy ; had not thy pride 

And wandering vanity, when least was safe, 875 

Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd 

Not to be trusted, longing to be seen, 

Though by the Devil himself, him overweening 

To over-reach ; but, with the Serpent meeting, 

Fool'd and beguil'd ; by him thou, I by thee, 880 

To trust thee from my side, imagined wise, 

Constant, mature, proof against all assaults, 

And understood not all was but a show 



234 PARADISE LOST. 

Rather than solid virtue, all but a rib, 

Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears, 885 

More to the part sinister ; from me drawn, 

Well if thrown out, as supernumerary 

To my just number found. O why did God, 

Creator wise, that peopled highest Heaven 

With spirits masculine, create at last 890 

This novelty on earth, this fair defect 

Of nature, and not fill the world at once 

With men, as angels, without feminine ; 

Or find some other way to generate 

Mankind ? this mischief had not then befallen ; 895 

And more that shall befal, innumerable 

Disturbances on earth, through female snares, 

And strait conjunction with this sex ; for either 

He never shall find out fit mate, but such 

As some misfortune brings him, or mistake ; 900 

Or whom he wishes most, shall seldom gain, 

Through her perverseness, but shall see her gain'd 

By a far worse, or, if she love, withheld 

By parents ; or his happiest choice too late 

Shall meet, already link'd and wedlock-bound 905 

To a fell adversary, his hate or shame; 

Which infinite calamity shall cause 

To human life, and household peace confound." 

He added not, & from her turn'd. But Eve, 
Not so repulsed, with tears that ceased not flowing 910 
And tresses all disordered, at his feet 
Fell humble, and embracing them, besought 
His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint. 

" Forsake me not thus, Adam ; witness Heaven, 
What love sincere, and reverence, in my heart 915 

I bear thee; and unweeting have offended, 
Unhappily deceived ; thy suppliant 
I beg, and clasp thy knees ; bereave me not, 
Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid, 
Thy counsel; in this uttermost distress, 920 

My only strength and stay : forlorn of thee, 
Whither shall I betake me, where subsist? 
While yet we live, scarce one short hour perhaps, 
Between us two, let there be peace ; both joining, 
As join'd in injuries, one enmity 925 

Against a foe, by doom express assign'd us, 
That cruel Serpent. On me exercise not 
Thy hatred, for this misery befallen; 
On me, already lost, me, than thyself 
More miserable ; both have sinn'd ; but thou 930 



PARADISE LOST. 235 

Against God only, I against God and thee; 

And to the place of judgment will return, 

There with my cries, importune Heaven, that all 

The sentence, from thy head removed, may light 

On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe, 935 

Me, me only, just object of his ire." 

She ended weeping ; and her lowly plight, 
Immoveable till peace obtain'd from fault 
Acknowledged & deplored, in Adam wrought 
Commiseration; soon his heart relented 940 

Towards her, his life so late and sole delight, 
Now at his feet submissive, in distress, 
Creature so fair, his reconcilement seeking, 
His counsel, whom she had displeased, his aid; 
As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost, 945 

And thus, with peaceful words, upraised her soon. 

" Unwary, and too desirous, as before, 
So now, of what thou know'st not, thou desirest 
The punishment all on thyself; alas, 
Bear thine own first, ill able to sustain 950 

Hisiull wrath, whose thou feel'st as yet least part, 
And my displeasure bear'st so ill. If prayers 
Could alter high decrees, I to that place 
Would speed before thee, & be louder heard, 
That on my head all might be visited, 955 

Thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven, 
To me committed, and by me exposed. 
But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame 
Each other, blamed enough elsewhere ; but strive, 
In offices of love, how we may lighten 960 

Each other's burden, in our share of woe ; 
Since this day's death denounced, if aught I see, 
Will prove no sudden, but a slow-paced evil, 
A long day's dying to augment our pain, 
And to our seed, hapless seed ! deriv'd." 965 

To whom thus Eve, recovering heart, replied. 
" Adam, by sad experiment, I know 
How little weight my words with thee can find, 
Found so erroneous, thence, by just event, 
Found so unfortunate ; nevertheless, 970 

Restored by thee, vile as I am, to place 
Of new acceptance, hopeful to regain 
Thy love, the sole contentment of my heart, 
Living or dying, from thee I will not hide 
What thoughts in my unquiet breast are risen, 975 

Tending to some relief of our extremes, 
Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable, 



236 PARADISE LOST. 

As in our evils, and of easier choice. 

If care of our descent perplex us most, 

Which must be born to certain woe, devour'd 980 

By death at last; and miserable it is 

To be to others cause of misery 

Our own begotten, and of our loins to bring 

Into this cursed world a woful race, 

That after wretched life, must be, at last, 985 

Food for so foul a monster ; in thy power 

It lies, yet ere conception, to prevent 

The race unblest, to being yet unbegot. 

Childless thou art, childless remain : so death 

Shall be deceived his glut, and with us two 990 

Be forced to satisfy his ravenous maw. 

But if thou judge it hard and difficult, 

Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain 

From love's due rites, nuptial embraces sweet, 

And with desire to languish, without hope, 995 

Before the present object, languishing 

With like desire, which would be misery 

And torment, less than none of what we dread ■ 

Then, both ourselves and seed at once to free 

From what we fear for both, let us make short, 1000 

Let us seek death, or, he not found, supply, 

With our own hands, his office on ourselves. 

Why stand we longer shivering under fears, 

That show no end but death, & have the power 

Of many ways to die, the shortest choosing, 1005 

Destruction with destruction to destroy?" 

She ended here, or vehement despair 
Broke off the rest ; so much of death her thoughts 
Had entertain'd, as dy'd her cheeks with pale. 
But Adam, with such counsel nothing sway'd 1010 

To better hopes his more attentive mind, 
Labouring, had raised ; and thus to Eve replied. 

" Eve, thy contempt of life, & pleasure, seems 
To argue in thee something more sublime, 
And excellent, than what thy mind contemns ; 1015 

But self-destruction, therefore sought, refutes 
That excellence, thought in thee, and implies, 
Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret, 
For loss of life and pleasure, overloved. 
Or if thou covet death, as utmost end 1020 

Of misery, so thinking to evade 
The penalty pronounced, doubt not but God 
Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire, than so 
To be forestall'd ; much more I fear lest death, 



PARADISE LOST. 237 

So snatch'd, will not exempt us from the pain 1025 

We are by doom to pay ; rather, such acts 

Of contumacy will provoke the Highest 

To make death in us live. Then let us seek 

Some safer resolution ; which, methinks, 

1 have in view, calling to mind with heed 1030 

Part of our sentence, that thy seed shall bruise 

The Serpent's head ; piteous amends, unless 

Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand foe, 

Satan, who, in the Serpent, hath contrived 

Against us this deceit: to crush his head 1035 

Would be revenge indeed ; which will be lost, 

By death brought on ourselves, or childless days, 

Resolved as thou proposest : so our foe 

Shall 'scape his punishment ordain'd, and we, 

Instead, shall double ours upon our heads. 1040 

No more be mention'd then of violence 

Against ourselves, and wilful barrenness, 

That cuts us off from hope, and savours only 

Rancour and pride, impatience, and despite, 

Reluctance against God, and his just yoke 1045 

Laid on our necks. Remember, with what mild 

And gracious temper he both heard and judged, 

Without wrath or reviling : we expected 

Immediate dissolution, which we thought 

'Was meant by death that day; when, lo, to thee 1060 

Pains only in child-bearing were foretold, 

And bringing forth, soon recompensed with joy 

Fruit of thy womb : on me, the curse aslope 

Glanced on the ground ; with labour I must earn 

My bread : what harm ? Idleness had been worse ; 1 055 

My labour will sustain me : and, lest cold 

Or heat should injure us, his timely care 

Hath unbesought, provided ; and his hands 

Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he judged. 

How much more, if we pray him, will his ear 1060 

Be open, and his heart to pity incline, 

And teach us farther, by what means to shun 

The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow ? 

Which now the sky, with various face, begins 

To show us in this mountain, while the winds 1065 

Blow moist & keen, shatters ■; the graceful locks 

Of these fair spreading trees , which bids us seek 

Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish 

Our limbs benumb'd, ere this diurnal star 

Leave cold the night ; how we, his gather 'd beams, 1070 

Reflected, may with matter sere foment, 



'238 PARADISE LOST. 

Or by collision of two bodies, grind 

The air attrite to fire; as late the clouds 

J ustling, or push'd with winds rude, in their shock 1074 

Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart flame, driven down 

Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, 

And sends a comfortable heat from far, 

Which might supply the sun : such fire to use, 

And what may else be remedy or cure 

To evils, which our own misdeeds have wrought, 108C 

He will instruct us, praying, and of grace 

Beseeching him ; so as we need not fear 

To pass commodiously this life, sustained 

By him with many comforts, till we end 

In dust, our final rest, and native home. 1085 

What better can we do, than to the place 

Repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall 

Before him reverent? and there confess 

Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears 

Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 1090 

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 

Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek. 

Undoubtedly he will relent and turn 

From his displeasure; in whose look serene, 

When angry most he seem'd, and most severe, 1095 

What else but favour, grace, and mercy shone?" 

So spake our father penitent, nor Eve 
Felt less remorse. They forthwith, to the place 
Repairing where he judged them, prostrate fell 
Before him, reverent, and both confess'd 1100 

Humbly their faults, & pardon begg'd, with tears 
Watering the ground, & with their sighs the air 
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek. 



THE END OV ROOK X. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK XI. . 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our lirst 
parents, now repenting, and intercedes for them. God accepts 
them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise : 
sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them ; but 
first to reveal to Adam future things. Michael's coming down. 
Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs ; he discerns Michael's 
approach, goes out to meet him ; the Angel denounces their 
departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits. The 
Angel leads him up to a high hill, sets before him in vision what 
bhall happen till the flood. 



PARADISE LOST. 
BOOK XI. 

-Lhus they, in lowliest plight repentant, stood 
Praying, for from the mercy-seat above 
Prevenient grace, descending, had removed 
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh, 
Regenerate, grow instead ; that sig-hs now breath d 5 

Unutterable, which the spirit of prayer 
Inspired, and wing'd for Heaven with speedier flight 
Than loudest oratory : yet their port, 
Not of mean suitors; nor important less 
Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair 10 

In fables old, less ancient yet than these, 
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore 
The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine 
Of Themis stood devout. To heaven their prayers 
Flew up ; nor miss'd the way by envious winds 1 5 

Blown vagabond, or frustrate : in they pass'd, 
Dimensionless, through heavenly doors ; then clad 
With incense, where the golden altar fumed, 
By their great Intercessor, came in sight 
Before the Father's throne : them the glad Son 20 

Presenting, thus to intercede began. 

" See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung, 
From thy implanted grace in Man ; these sighs 
And prayers, which in this golden censer mix'd 
With incense, I thy Priest, before thee bring ; 25 

Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed, 
Sown with contrition in his heart than those 
Which his own hand, manuring all the trees 
Of Paradise, could have produced, ere fallen 
From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear • 3 ^ 

To supplication, hear his sighs, though mute; 
Unskilful with what words to pray, let me 
Interpret for him, me his Advocate, 
And Propitiation; all his works on me, 
Good or not good, ingraft ; my merit those 35 

Shall perfect ; and for these, my death shall pay. 
Accept me, and in me, from these receive 



242 PARADISE LOST 

The smell of peace towara mankind : let him live 

Before thee, reconciled, at least his days 

Numbered, though sad, till death his doom which I 40 

To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse, 

To better life shall yield him ; where with me 

All my redeem'd may dwell, in joy and bliss, 

Made one with me, as I with thee am one." 

To whom the Father, without cloud, serene. 45 

"All thy request for Man, accepted Son, 
Obtain ; all thy request, was my decree : 
But longer in that Paradise to dwell, 
The law I gave to nature him forbids. 
Those pure immortal elements, that know 50 

No gross, no inharmonious mixture foul, 
Eject him, tainted now, and purge him off 
As a distemper, gross to air as gross, 
And mortal food, as may dispose him best 
For dissolution, wrought by sin, that first 55 

Distemper'd all things, and of incorrupt 
Corrupted. I, at first, with two fair gifts 
Created him endow'd with happiness 
And immortality : that fondly lost, 
This other served but to eternize woe; 60 

Till I provided death : so death becomes 
His final remedy; and after life 
Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined, 
By faith and faithful works, to second life, 
Waked in the renovation of the just, g5 

Resigns him up, with Heaven and Earth renew 'd. 
But let us call to synod all the bless'd, 
Through Heaven's wide bounds ; from them I will not hide 
My judgments, how with mankind I proceed ; 
As how with peccant angels late they saw, 70 

And in their state, though firm, stood more confirm'd.'' 

He ended; and the Son gave signal high 
To the bright minister that watch'd : he blew 
His trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps, 
When God descended ; and perhaps once more 75 

To sound, at general doom. The angelic blast 
Fill'd all the regions : from their blissful bowers, 
Of amarantine shade, fountain or spring, 
By the waters of life, where'er they sat 
In fellowships of joy, the sons of light 80 

Hasted, resorting to the summons high, 
And took therr seats ; till from his throne supreme, 
The Almighty thus pronounced his sovereign will. 

" O Sons, like one of us Man is become, 



PARADISE LOST. 243 

To know both good and evil, since his taste 85 

Of that defended fruit ; but let him boast 

His knowledge of good lost, and evil got ; 

Happier, had it sufficed him, to have known 

Good by itself and evil not at all. 

He sorrows now, repents and prays contrite, 90 

My motions in him ; longer than they move 

His heart I know, how variable and vain, 

Self-left. Lest therefore, his now bolder hand 

Reach also of the tree of life and eat, 

And live for ever, dream at least to live 95 

For ever ; to remove him I decree, 

And send him from the garden forth to till 

The ground, whence he was taken, fitter soil. 

" Michael, this my behest have thou in charge; 
Take to thee, from among the Cherubim, 100 

Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend, 
Or in behalf of Man, or to invade 
Vacant possession, some new trouble raise : 
Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God, 
Without remorse, drive out the sinful pair, 105 

From hallow'd ground the unholy ; & denounce 
To them and to their progeny from thence 
Perpetual banishment. Yet, lest they faint 
At the sad sentence rigorously urged, 
For I behold them soften'd, and with tears 110 

Bewailing their excess, all terror hide. 
If patiently thy bidding they obey, 
Dismiss them, not disconsolate; reveal 
To Adam, what shall come in future days, 
As I shall thee enlighten; intermix 115 

My covenant in the woman's seed renew *d : 
So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace. 
And on the east side of the garden place, 
Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs, 
Cherubic watch ; and of a sword the flame 1 20 

Wide- waving, all approach far off to fright, 
And guard all passage to the tree of life : 
Lest Paradise a receptacle prove 
To spirits foul ; and all my trees their prey, 
With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude." 1 25 

He ceased : and the archangelic power prepared, 
For swift descent, with him the cohort bright 
Of watchful cherubim ; four faces each 
Had, like a double Janus; all their shape 
Spangled with eyes, more numerous than those 130 

Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse, 

u2 



244 PARADISE LOST. 

Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral leed 

Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanwhile, 

To re-salute the world, with sacred light, 

Leucothea waked, & with fresh dews embalm'd 1 35 

The earth, when Adam and first matron Eve 

Had ended now their orisons, and found 

Strength added from above, new hope to spring 

Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet link'd ; 

Which thus to Eve his welcome words r.enew'd. 140 

" Eve, easily my faith admit, that all 
The good which we enjoy, from Heaven descends : 
But that from us aught should ascend to Heaven, 
So prevalent, as to concern the mind 
Of God, high-bless'd, or to incline his will, 145 

Hard to belief may seem ; yet this will prayer, 
Or one short sigh of human breath, upborne 
Even to the seat of God. For since I sought, 
By prayer the offended Deity to appease, 
Kneel'd, and before him humbled all my heart, 150 

Methought I saw him placable and mild, 
Bending his ear; persuasion in me grew, 
That I was heard with favour ; peace return'd 
Home to my breast, and to my memory 
His promise, that thy seed shall bruise our foe : 155 

Which then not minded, in dismay, yet now 
Assures me, that the bitterness of death 
Is pass'd, & we shall live. Whence, hail to thee, 
Eve rightly call'd, mother of all mankind, 
Mother of all things living! since by thee 160 

Man is to live, and all things live for man." 

To whom thus Eve, with sad demeanour meek. 
" 111 worthy I, such title should belong 
To me, transgressor, who, for thee ordain'd 
A help, became thy snare ; to me reproach 1 65 

Rather belongs, distrust, and all dispraise : 
But infinite in pardon was my Judge, 
That I, who first brought death on all, am graced 
The source of life: next favourable thou, 
Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsafest, 170 

Far other name deserving. But the field 
To labour calls us now, with sweat imposed, 
Though after sleepless night; for see, the morn, 
All unconcern'd with our unrest, begins 
Her rosy progress smiling ; let us forth ; 1 75 

I never from thy side henceforth to stray, 
Where'er our day's work lies, though now enjoin'd 
Laborious, till day droop. While here we dwell, 



PARADISE LOST. 



245 



What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks ? 

Here let us live, though in fallen state, content." 180 

So spake, so wish'd, much-humbled Eve ; but fate 
Subscribed not. Nature first gave signs, impress'd 
On bird, beast, air; air suddenly eclipsed, 
After short blush of morn ; nigh, in her sight, 
The bird of Jove stoop'd from his airy tour, 185 

Two birds of gayest plume before him drove ; 
Down from a hill, the beast that reigns in woods, 
First hunter then, pursu'd a gentle brace, 
Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind ; 
Direct to the eastern gate was bent their flight. 190 

Adam observed, and, with his eye the chase 
Pursuing, not unmoved, to Eve thus spake. 

• " O Eve ! some further change awaits us nigh, 
Which Heaven, by these mute signs in nature, shows, 
Forerunners of his purpose ; or to warn 195 

Us, haply too secure of our discharge 
From penalty, because from death released 
Some days : how long, and what till then our life, 
Who knows ? or, more than this, that we are dust, 
And thither must return, and be no more. 200 

Why else this double object, in our sight, 
Of flight pursued in the air, and o'er the ground, 
One way the self-same hour ? why in the east 
Darkness, ere day's mid-course, and morning light, 
More orient in yon western cloud, that draws 205 

O'er the blue firmament a radiant white, 
And slow descends, with something heavenly fraught V* 

He err'd not ; for by this the heavenly bands, 
Down from a sky of jasper, lighted now 
In Paradise, and on a hill made halt; 210 

A glorious apparition, had not doubt, 
And carnal fear, that day dimm'd Adam's eye. 
Not that more glorious, when the angels met 
Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw 
The field pavilion'd with his guardians bright ; 215 

Nor that, which on the flaming mount appear'd 
In Dothan, cover'd with a camp of fire, 
Against the Syrian king ; who, to surprise 
One man, assassin-like, had levied war, 
War unproclaim'd. The princely Hierarch, 220 

In their bright stand, there left his powers, to seize 
Possession of the garden; he alone, 
To find where Adam shelter'd, took his way ; 

Not unperceived of Adam ; who to Eve, 

While the great visitant approadi'd, thus spake. 225 



246 PARADISE LOST. 

' Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps 
Of us will soon determine, or impose 
New laws to be observed ; for I descry, 
From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill, 
One of the heavenly host, and, by his gait, 230 

None of the meanest ; some great potentate, 
Or of the thrones above, such majesty 
Invests him coming ; yet not terrible, 
That I should fear, nor sociably mild, 
As Raphael, that I should as much confide ; 235 

But solemn and sublime ; whom, not to offend, 
With reverence I must meet, and thou retire." 

He ended ; and the Archangel soon drew nigh ; 
Not in his shape celestial, but as man, 
Clad to meet man ; over his lucid arms 240 

A military vest of purple flow'd, 
Livelier than Meliboean, or the grain 
Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old 
In time of truce; Iris had dipp'd the woof; 
His starry helm unbuckled, show'd him prime 245 

In manhood, where youth ended ; by his side, 
As in a glistering zodiac, hung the sword, 
Saltan's dire dread, and in his hand the spear : 
Adam bow'd low ; he, kingly, from his state 
Inclined not ; but his coming thus declared. 250 

"Adam, Heaven's high behest no preface needs : 
Sufficient that thy prayers are heard, and Death, 
Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress, 
Defeated of his seizure, many days 
Given thee of grace, wherein thou mayst repent, 255 

And one bad act, with many deeds well done, 
Mayst cover : well may then thy Lord, appeased^ 
Redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim ; 
But longer in this Paradise to dwell 
Permits not ; to remove thee I am come, 260 

And send thee from the garden forth to till 
The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil." 

He added not ; for Adam at the news 
Heart-struck, with chilling gripe of sorrow stood, 
That all his senses bound ; Eve, who unseen, 265 

Yet all had heard, with audible lament 
Discover'd soon the place of her retire. 

" O unexpected stroke, worse than of death ! 
Must I thus leave thee, Paradise ? thus leave 
Thee, native soil, these happy walks and shades, 270 

Fit haunt of gods ? where I had hope to spend. 
Quiet, though <sad, the respite of t'nat day 



PARADISE LOST. 24 7 

That must be mortal to us both. O flowers ! 

That never will in other climate grow, 

My early visitation, and my last 975 

At even, which I bred up with tender hand, 

From the first opening bud, and gave ye names ; 

Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank 

Your tribes, & water from the ambrosial fount ? 

Thee lastly, nuptial bower, by me adorn'd, 280 

With what to sight or smell was sweet, from thee 

How shall I part? and whither wander down 

Into a lower world, to this obscure 

And wild ? how shall we breathe in other air 

Less pure accustom'd to immortal fruits?" 285 

Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild. 
" Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign 
What justly thou hast lost ; nor set thy heart, 
Thus overfond, on that which is not thine : 
Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes 290 

Thy husband ; him to follow thou art bound ; 
Where he abides, think there thy native soil." 

Adam by this from the cold sudden damp 
Recovering, and his scatter'd spirits return'd, 
To Michael thus his humble words adress'd 295 

" Celestial, whether among the thrones, or nam'd 
Of them the highest, for of such shape may seem 
Prince above princes, gently hast thou told 
Thy message, which might else in telling wound, 
And, in performing, end us ; what besides 300 

Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, 
Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring 
Departure from that happy place, our sweet 
Recess, and only consolation left, 

Familiar to our eyes ; all places else 305 

Inhospitable appear, and desolate, 
Nor knowing us, nor known. And if, by prayer 
Incessant, I could hope to change the will 
Of him who all things can, I would not cease 
To weary him with my assiduous cries: 310 

But prayer, against his absolute decree, 
No more avails than breath against the wind, 
Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth : 
Therefore to his great bidding I submit. 
This most afflicts me, that departing hence, 315 

As from his face I shall be hid, deprived 
His blessed countenance ; here I could frequent 
With worship, place by place, where he vouchsafed 
Presence divine ; and to my sons relate, 



£48 PARADISE LOST 

On this mount he appeafd; under this tree 320 

Stood visible; among these pines, his voice 

I heard; here with him, at this fountain, talked : 

So many grateful altars I would rear 

Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone 

Of lustre from the brook, in memory, 325 

Or monument to ages, and thereon 

Offer sweet- smelling gums, & fruits, & flowers, 

In yonder nether world, where shall I seek 

His bright appearances, or footstep trace ? 

For though I fled him, angry, yet recall'd 330 

To life prolong'd, and promis'd race, I now 

Gladly behold, though but his utmost skirts 

Of glory, and far off his steps adore." 

To whom thus Michael, with regard benign. 
"Adam, thou know'st Heaven his, & all the Earth ; 335 

Not this rock only; his omnipresence fills 
Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives, 
Fomented by his virtual power and warm'd : 
All the earth he gave thee to possess, and rule, 
No despicable gift; surmise not then 340 

His presence to these narrow bounds confined 
Of Paradise or Eden : this had been 
Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread 
All generations, ar.d had hither come 
From all the ends of the earth, to celebrate 345 

And reverence thee, their great progenitor. 
But this pre-eminence thou hast lost, brought down 
To dwell on even ground now with thy sons : 
Yet doubt not, but in valley and in plain 
God is as here, and will be found alike 350 

Present, and of his presence many a sign 
Still following thee, still compassing thee round 
With goodness and paternal love, his face 
Express, and of his steps the track divine. 
Which that thou mayst believe, & be confirm'd, 355 

Ere thou from hence depart, know, I am sent 
To show thee what shall come, in future days, 
To thee and to thy offspring : good with bad 
Expect to hear ; supernal grace contending 
With sinfulness of men; thereby to learn 360 

True patience, and to temper joy with fear, 
And pious sorrow, equally inured, 
By moderation either state to bear, 
Prosperous or adverse : so shalt thou lead 
Safest thy life, and best prepared, endure 365 

Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend 



PARADISE LOST. 



249 



This hill ; let Eve, for I have drench'd her eyes, 
Here sleep below ; while thou to foresight wakest ; 
As once thou slept'st, while she to life was form'd. 

To whom thus Adam gratefully replied. 370 

' Ascend, I follow thee, safe guide, the path 
Thou leadst me, & to the hand of Heaven submit, 
However chastening, to the evil turn 
My obvious breast, arming to overcome 
By suffering, and earn rest from labour won, 375 

If so I may attain." So both ascend, 
In the visions of God. It was a hill 
Of Paradise the highest, from whose top lay. 
The hemisphere of earth, in clearest ken 
Stretch'd out to the amplest reach of prospect, 380 

Not higher that hill, nor wider looking round, 
Whereon, for different cause, the Tempter set 
Our second Adam, in the wilderness, 
To show him all earth's kingdoms, & their glory. 
His eye might there command, wherever stood 385 

City, of old or modern fame, the seat 
Of mightiest empire, from the destined walls 
Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can, 
And Samarcand by Oxus, Temir's throne, 
To Paquin of Sinsean kings, and thence 390 

To Agra and Lahor of great Mogul, 
Down to the golden Chersonese, or where 
The Persian in Ecbaten sat, or since 
In Hispahan,. or where the Russian Ksar 
In Moscow, or the Sultan in Bizance, 395 

Turchestan-born ; nor could his eye not ken 
The empire of Negus, to his utmost port 
Ercoco, and the less maritime kings 
Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind, 
And Sofala, thought Ophir, to the realm 400 

Of Congo, and Angola farthest south; 
Or thence, from Niger flood to Atlas mount, 
The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez, and Sus, 
Morocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen ; 
Or Europe thence, & where Rome was to sway 405 

The world : in spirit perhaps he also saw 
Rich Mexico, the seat, of Montezume, 
And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat 
Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoil'd 

Guaina, whose great city Geryon's sons 410 

Call El Dorado. But. to nobler sights, 
Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed, 
Which that false fruit, that promised clearer sight, 



250 PARADISE LOST. 

Had bred ; then purged with euphrasy and rue 

The visual nerve, for he had much to see; 415 

And from the well of life three drops instill'd. 

So deep the power of these ingredients pierced 

E'en to the inmost seat of mental sight, 

That Adam, now enforced to close his eyes, 

Sunk down, & all his spirits *became entranced : 420 

But him the gentle Angel by the hand 

Soon raised, and his attention thus recall'd. 

" Adam, now ope thine eyes ; and first, behold 
The effects, which thy original crime hath wrought 
In some, to spring from thee, who never touch'd 425 

The excepted tree, nor with the snake conspir'd, 
Nor sinn'd thy sin ; yet from that sin derive 
Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds." 

His eyes he open'd, and beheld a field, 
Part arable and tilth, whereon where sheaves 430 

New reap'd ; the other part sheepwalks & folds ; 
In the midst an altar, as the landmark, stood, 
Rustic, of grassy sod : thither anon 
A sweaty reaper, from his tillage, brought 
First fruits, the green ear, and the yellow sheaf, 435 

Uncull'd, as came to hand; a shepherd next, 
More meek, came with the firstlings of his flock, 
Choicest and best ; then sacrificing, laid 
The inwards and their fat, with incense strow'd, 
On the cleft wood, and all due rites perform'd. 440 

His offering soon propitious fire from Heaven 
Consumed with nimble glance, & grateful steam : 
The other's not ; for his was not sincere ; 
Whereat he inly raged ; and, as they talk'd, 
Smote him into the midriff with a stone 445 

That beat out life; he fell and, deadly pale, 
Groan'd out his soul, with gushing blood effused. 
Much, at the sight, was Adam in his heart 
Dismay'd, & thus in haste to the Angel cried. 

" O teacher, some great mischief hath befallen 450 

To that meek man, who well had sacrificed ; 
Is piety thus, and pure devotion, paid?" 

To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied. 
" These two are brethren, Adam, and to come 
Out of thy loins ; the unjust the just hath slain, 455 

For envy that his brother's offering found 
From Heaven acceptance : but the bloody fact 
Will be avenged, and the other's faith, approved, 
Lose no reward, though here thou see him die, 
Rolling in dust and gore." To which our sire. 460 



PARADISE LOST. 



25 



11 Alas ! both for the deed and for the cause ! 
But have I now seen death ? Is this the way, 
I must return to native dust? O sight 
Of terror, foul and ugly to behold, 
Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!" 46 5 

To whom thus Michael. " Death thou hast seen, 
In his first shape, on man : but many shapes 
Of death, and many are the ways that lead 
To his grim cave, all dismal ; yet, to sense, 
More terrible at the entrance than within. 470 

Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die, 
By fire, flood, famine, by intemperance more 
In meats & drinks, which on the earth shall bring 
Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew 
Before thee shall appear ; that thou mayst know 475 

What misery the inabstinence of Eve 
Shall bring on men. Immediately a place 
Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark, 
A lazar-house it seem'd, wherein were laid 
Numbers of all diseased ; all maladies 480 

Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms 
Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds, 
Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs, 
Intestine stone and ulcer, cholic pangs, 
Demoniac frenzy, moping melancholy, 485 

And moon- struck madness, pining atrophy, 
Merasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence, 
Dropsies, & asthmas, & joint-racking rheums. 
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans ; Despair 
Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch ; 490 

And over them triumphant Death his dart 
Shook ; but delay'd to strike, though oft invok'd 
With vows, as their chief good, and final hope. 
Sight so deform, what heart of rock could long 
Dry-eyed behold ? Adam could not ; but wept, 495 

Though not of woman born : compassion quell'd 
His best of man, and gave him up to tears 
A space, till firmer thoughts restrain'd excess; 
And, scarce recovering words, his plaint renew'd. 

" O miserable mankind, to" what fall 500 

Degraded, to what wretched state reserved ! 
Better end here, unborn. Why is life given, 
To be thus wrested from us 1 rather, why 
Obtruded on us thus ? who, if we knew 
What we receive would either not accept 505 

Life ofFer'd, or soon beg to lay it down ; 
Glad to be so dismiss'd in peace. Can thus 



252 PARADISE LOST. 

The image of God, in man created once 

So goodly and erect, though faulty since, 

To such unsightly sufferings be debased 510 

Under inhuman pains ? why should not man, 

Retaining still divine similitude 

In part, from such deformities be free, 

And for his Maker's image-sake exempt V 

" Their Maker's image," answer' d Michael, " then 515 
Forsook them, when themselves they vilified, 
To serve ungovern'd appetite, and took 
His image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice, 
Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. 
Therefore so abject is their punishment, 520 

Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own ; 
Or if his likeness, by themselves defaced, 
While they pervert pure nature's healthful rules 
To loathsome sickness ; worthily, since they 
God's image did not reverence in themselves." 525 

" I yield it just," said Adam, " and submit. 
But is there yet no other way besides 
These painful passages, how we may come 
To /death, and mix with our connatural dust V* 

" There is," said Michael, " if thou well observe 530 

The rule of not too much, by temperance taught 
In what thou eatest and drinkest, seeking from thence 
Due nourishment, no gluttonous delight 
Till many years over thy head return : 
So mayest thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop 535 
Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease 
Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd, for death mature : 
This is old age; but then thou must outlive 
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change 
To wither'd, weak, and gray ; thy senses, then 540 

Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, 
To what thou hast ; and for the air of youth, 
Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign 
A melancholy damp of cold and dry, 
To weigh thy spirits down ; and last, consume 545 

The balm of life." To whom our ancestor. 

" Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong 
Life much ; bent rather how I may be quit, 
Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous charge ; 
Which I must keep, till my appointed day 550 

Of rendering up, and patiently attend 
My dissolution." Michael replied. 

" Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou livest, 
Live well; how long, or short, permit to Heaven : 



PARADISE LOST. 253 

And now prepare thee for another sight." 555 

He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 
Were tents of various hue ; by some were herds 
Of cattle grazing; others whence the sound 
Of instruments, that made melodious chime, 
Was heard, of harp and organ, and who moved 560 

Their stops & chords, were seen ; his volant touch, 
Instinct, through all proportions low and high, 
Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. 
In other part stood one, who, at the forge 
Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass 565 

Had melted ; whether found, where casual fire 
Had wasted woods on mountain or in vale, 
Down to the veins of earth, thence gliding hot 
To some cave's mouth ; or whether wash'd by stream 
From under ground, the liquid ore he drain 'd 5.70 

Into fit moulds prepared : from which he form'd, 
First, his own tools ; then, what might else be wrought 
Fusil, or graven in metal. After these 
But on the hither side, a different sort 
From the high neighbouring hills, which was their seat, 575 
Down to the plain descended : by their guise 
Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent 
To worship God aright, and know his works 
Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve 
Freedom and peace to men ; they on the plain 580 

Long had not walk'd, when from the tents, behold 
A bevy of fair women richly gay 
In gems & wanton dress ; to the harp they sung 
Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on; 
The men, though grave, eyed them, and let their eyes 585 
Rove without rein, till in the amorous net 
Fast caught, they liked, and each his liking chose : 
And now of love they treat, till the evening star, 
Love's harbinger, appear'd ; then, all in heat, 
They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke 590 

Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked : 
With feast and music all the tents resound. 
Such happy interview, and fair event, 
Of love & youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers, 
And charming symphonies, attach'd the heart 595 

Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight, 
The bent of nature ; which he thus expressed. 

" True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel bless'd, 
Much better seems this vision, and more hope 
Of peaceful days portends, than those two past ; 600 

Those were of hate, & death, or pain, much worse, 



254 PARADISE LOST. 

Here nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends." 

To whom thus Michael. " Judge not what is best 
By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet, 
Created, as thou art, to nobler end, 605 

Holy and pure, conformity divine. 
Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents 
Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race 
Who slew his brother ; studious they appear 
Of arts that polish life, inventors rare, 610 

Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit 
Taught them ; but they his gifts acknowledg'd none. 
Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget ; 
For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd 
Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615 

fet empty of all good wherein consists 
Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; 
Bred only and completed to the taste 
Of lustful appetance ; to sing, to dance, 
To dress, & troll the tongue, & roll the eye. 620 

To these, that sober race of men, whose lives 
Religious, titled them the sons of God, 
Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame, 
Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles 
Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy, 625 

Ere long to swim at large ; and laugh, for which 
The world ere long a world of tears must weep." 

To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft. 
" O pity & shame, that they, who to live well 
Enter'd so fair should turn aside to tread 630 

Paths indirect, or in the midway faint ! 
But still I see the tenor of man's wo 
Hold on the same, from woman to begin." 

" From man's effeminate slackness it begins," 
Said the Angel, " who should better hold his place, 635 

By wisdom, and superior gifts received. 
But now prepare thee for another scene." 

He look'd, and saw wide territory spread 
Before him, towns, and rural works between, 
Cities of men, with lofty gates and towers, 640 

Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war, 
Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise ; 
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, 
Single, or in array of battle ranged, 
Both horse and foot : nor idly mustering stood : 645 

One way a band select from forage drives 
A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, 
From a fat meadow ground ; or fleecy flock 



PARADISE LOST. 



255 



Ewes & their bleating lambs, over the plain, 

Their booty ; scarce with life the shepherds fly, 650 

But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray ; 

With cruel tournament the squadrons join ; 

Where cattle pastured late, now scatter 'd lies 

With carcases, & arms, the ensanguined field 

Deserted. Others to a city strong 655 

Lay siege, encamped ; by battery, scale, & mine, 

Assaulting; others from the wall defend 

With dart, & javelin, stones, & sulphurous fire ; 

On each hand slaughter, and gigantic deeds. 

In other part, the scepter'd heralds call 660 

To council in the city gates : anon 

Gray-headed men & grave, with warriors mix'd, 

Assemble, and harangues are heard ; but soon 

In factious opposition, till at last, 

Of middle age, one rising, eminent 665 

In wise deport, spake much of right & wrong, 

Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace, 

And judgment from above : him old and young 

Exploded, and had seized with violent hands, 

Had not a cloud descending, snatched him thence, 670 

Unseen amid the throng : so violence 

Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, 

Through all the plain, & refuge none was found. 

Adam was all in tears, and, to his guide 

Lamenting, turn'd full sad : " O what are these, 675 

Death's ministers, not men, who thus deal death 

Inhumanly to men, and multiply 

Ten thousand-fold, the sin of him who slew 

His brother ; for of whom such massacre 

Make they, but of their brethren, men of men ? 680 

But who was that just man, whom, had not Heaven 

Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost V* 

To whom thus Michael. " These are the product 
Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st ; 
Where good with bad were match'd, who of themselves 685 
Abhor to join ; and by imprudence mix'd, 
Produce prodigious births of body or mind. 
Such were these giants, men of high renown ; 
For in those days might only shall be admired, 
And valour and heroic virtue call'd; 690 

To overcome in battle, and subdue 
Nations, and bring home spoils, with infinite 
Manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch 
Of human glory, and for glory done 
Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, 695 



256 PARADISE LOST. 

Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods,, 

Destroyers rightlier call'd, and plagues of men. 

Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on earth j 

And what most merits fame in silence hid. 

But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheld'st 700 

The only righteous in a world perverse, 

And therefore hated, therefore so beset 

With foes, for daring single to be just, 

And utter odious truth, that God would come 

To judge them with his" saints : him the Most High, 705 

Wrapt in a balmy cloud, with winged steeds 

Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God, 

High in salvation, and the climes of bliss, 

Exempt from death ; to show thee what reward 

Awaits the good 5 the rest, what punishment j 710 

Which now direct thine eyes, and soon behold." 

He look'd, & saw the face of things quite chang'd. 
The brazen throat of war had ceas'd to roar ; 
And all was turn'd to jollity and game, 
To luxury and riot, feast and dance, 715 

Marrying, or prostituting, as befel, 
Rape or adultery, where passing fair 
Allured them j thence from cups to civil broils. 
At length a reverend sire among them came, 
And of their doings great dislike declared, 720 

And testified against their ways j he oft 
Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, 
Triumphs or festivals, and to them preach'd 
Conversion and repentance, as to souls 
In prison, under judgments imminent: 725 

But all in vain : which when he saw, he ceas'd 
Contending, and removed his tents far off. 
Then from the mountain hewing timber tall, 
Began to build a vessel of huge bulk, 
Measured by cubit, length, & breath, and highth, 730 

Smear'd round with pitch, & in the side a door 
Contrived 3 and of provisions laid in large 
For man & beast : when, lo, a wonder strange ! 
Of every beast and bird, and insect small, 
Came sevens, & pairs, & enter'd in, as taught 735 

Their order j last the sire, and his three sons, 
With their four wives j & God made fast the door. 
Meanwhile the south wind rose, with black wings 
Wide hovering, all the clouds together drove. 
From under Heaven ; the hills, to their supply, 740 

Vapour and exhalation dusk and moist 
Sent up amain 5 and now the sicken'd sky 




is>j 



PARADISE LOST. 357 

Like a dark ceiling stood ; down rush'd the rain \ 

Impetuous, and continued, till the earth 

No more was seen : the floating vessel swum 745 

Uplifted, and secure, with beaked prow 

Rode tilting o'er the waves ; all dwellings else 

Flood overwhelm'd, & then, with all their pomp, 

Deep under water roll'd ; sea covered sea, 

Sea without shore; and in their palaces, 750 

Where luxury late reign 'd, sea monsters whelp'd, 

And stabled : of mankind, so numerous late, 

All left, in one small bottom swum embark 'd. 

How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold 

The end of all thy offspring, end so sad, 755 

Depopulation? thee, another flood 

Of tears and sorrow, a flood thee also drown 'd, 

And sunk thee, as thy sons ; till gently rear'd 

By the Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last, 

Though comfortless; as when a father mourns 760 

His children, all in view destroy'd at once ; 

And scarce to the Angel utter'dst thus thy plaint. 

" O visions ill foreseen ! better had I 
Lived ignorant of future, so had borne 
My part of evil only, each day's lot 765 

Enough to bear ; those now, that were dispensed 
The burden of many ages, on me light 
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth 
Abortive, to torment me, ere their being, 
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek 770 

Henceforth, to be foretold, what shall befal 
Him, or nis children ; evil, he may be sure, 
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent ; 
And he the future evils shall, no less 
In apprehension than in substance, feel 775 

Grievous to bear : but that care now is pass'd, 
Man is not whom to warn : those few, escaped 
Famine and anguish will at last consume, 
Wandering that watery desert. I had hope, 
When violence was ceased, and war on earth, 780 

All would have then gone well, peace would have crown'd, 
With length of happy days, the race of man : 
But I was far deceived ; for now I see 
Peace to corrupt, no less than war to waste. 
How comes it thus ? unfold, celestial guide ; 785 

And whether here the race of man will end ?" 

To whom thus Michael. " Those whom last thou saw'st 
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they 
First seen, in acts of prowess eminent, 



258 \ PARADISE LUST. 

And great exploits, but of true virtue void ; 790 

Who, having spill'd much blood, and done much waste, 

Subduing nations, and achieved thereby 

Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey, 

Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, & sloth, 

Surfeit and lust; till wantonness and pride 795 

Raise, out of friendship, hostile deeds in peace. 

The conquer'd also, and enslav'd by war, 

Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose, 

And fear of God ; from whom, their piety feign 'd, 

In sharp contest of battle, found no aid 800 

Against invaders ; therefore, cool'd in zeal, 

Thenceforth shall practise, how to live secure, 

Worldly, or dissolute, on what their lords 

Shall leave them to enjoy ; for the earth shall bear 

More than enough, that temperance may be tried. 805 

So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved, 

Justice and temperance, truth and faith forgot ; 

One man except, the only son of light, 

In a dark age, against example good, 

Against allurement, custom, and a world 810 

Offended ; fearless of reproach and scorn, 

Or violence, he of their wicked ways 

Shall them admonish, and before them set 

The paths of righteousness, how much more safe 

And full of peace ; denouncing wrath to come, 815 

On their impenitence ; and shall return, 

Of them derided ; but of God observed 

The one just man alive, by his command, 

Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheldst, 

To save himself and household, from amidst 820 

A world devote to universal wreck. 

No sooner he, with them, of man and beast 

Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged, 

And shelter'd round, but all the cataracts 

Of Heaven set open, on the earth, shall pour 825 

Rain day and night; all fountains of the deep 

Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp 

Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise 

Above the highest hills : then shall this mount 

Of Paradise, by might of waves, be moved, 830 

Out "of his place, pushed by the horned flood, 

With all his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift, 

Down the great river to the opening gulf, 

And there take root, an island salt and bare, 

The haunt of seals, and ores, and seamews' clang : 835 

To teach thee, that God attributes to place 



PARADISE LOST. 259 

No sanctity, if none be thither brought 
By men who there frequent, or therein dwell. 
And now what further shall ensue, behold." 

He look'd, and saw the ark-hull on the flood, 840 

Which now abated ; for the clouds were fled, 
Driven by a keen north wind, that blowing dry, 
Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd; 
And the clear sun, on his wide watery glass, 
Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, 845 

As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink, 
From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole 
With soft foot to wards the deep; who now hadstopp'd 
His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut. 
The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground, 850 

Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd. 
And now the tops of hills, as rocks, appear ; 
With clamour thence the rapid currents drive, 
Towards the retreating sea, their furious tide. 
Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies ; 855 

And after him, the surer messenger, 
A dove, sent forth once and again, to spy 
Green tree, or ground, whereon his foot may light ; 
The second time returning, in his bill 
An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign ; 860 

Anon dry ground appears ; and from his ark 
The ancient sire descends, with all his train ; 
Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, 
Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds 
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow 865 

Conspicuous, with three listed colours gay, 
Betokening peace from God, & covenant new. 
Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad, 
Greatly rejoiced ; and thus his joy broke forth. 

" O thou, who future things canst represent 870 

As present, heavenly instructor, I revive 
At this last sight; assured that man shall live, 
With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. 
Far less I now lament for one whole world 
Of wicked sons destroyed, than I rejoice 875 

For one man found so perfect, and so just, 
That God vouchsafes to raise another world 
From him, & all his anger to forget. 
But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in Heaven t 
Distended as the brow of God appeas'd? 880 

Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind 
The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud, 
Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth ?" 

6 82 



PARADISE LOST. 

To whom the Archangel. " Dexterously thou aimst j 
So willingly doth God remit his ire; " 885 

Though late repenting him of man depraved, 
Grieved at his heart, when, looking down, he saw 
The whole earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh 
Corrupting each their way ; yet those removed, 
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, 890 

That he relents, not to blot out mankind ; 
And makes a covenant, never to destroy 
The earth again by flood, nor let the sea 
Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world 
With man therein, or beast ; but, when he brings 895 

Over the earth a cloud, will therein set 
His triple coloured bow, whereon to look, 
And call to mind his covenant. Day and night, 
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost 
Shall hold their course ; till fire purge all things new 900 

Both Heaven & Earth, wherein the just shall dwell." 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK XII. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

The Angel Michael continues, from the flood, to relate what shall suc- 
ceed; then in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to ex- 
plain who that Seed of the Woman shall be which was promised 
Adam and Eva in the fall. His incarnation, death, resurrection, 
and asceusion ; the state of the church till his second coining. 
Adam, greatly satisfied and re-comforted by these relations and 
promises, descends the hill with Michael : wakens Eve, who all 
this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quiet- 
ness of mind and submission. Michael in either hand leads them 
out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the Che- 
rubim taking their stations to guard the place. 



PARADISE LOST. 

BOOK XII. 



As one who, in his journey, baits at noon, 
Tho' bent on speed ; so here the Archangel paused, 
Betwixt the world destroy 'd, and world restored ; 
If Adam aught, perhaps might interpose : 
Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes. 5 

" Thus thou hast seen one world begin, & end ; 
And man, as from a second stock, proceed. 
Much thou hast yet to see ; but I perceive 
Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine 
Must needs impair and weary human sense : 10 

Henceforth, what is to come I will relate; 
Thou therefore give due audience, & attend. 
This second source of men, while yet but few, 
And while the dread of judgment pass'd remains 
Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity, 15 

With some regard to what is just and right, 
Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace, 
Labouring the soil, & reaping plenteous crop, 
Corn, wine, & oil : & from the herd or flock, 
Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid. 20 

With large wine-offerings pour'd, & sacred feast, 
Shall spend their days in joy, unblamed, & dwell 
Long time in peace, by families and tribes, 
Under paternal rule : till one shall rise, 
Of proud ambitious heart, who not content 25 

With fair equality, fraternal state, 
Will arrogate dominion undeserved, 
Over his brethren, and quite dispossess 
Concord and law of nature from the earth ; 
Hunting, & men, not beasts, shall be his game, 30 

With war and hostile snare, such as refuse 
Subjection to his empire tyrannous : 
A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled 
Before the Lord, as in despite of Heaven, 
Or from Heaven claiming second sovereignty ; 35 

And from rebellion shall derive his name, 
Though of rebellion others lie acnisr. 



264 PARADISE LOST. 

He with a crew, whom like ambition joins 

With him, or under him, to tyrannize, 

Marching from Eden, towards the west, shall find 40 

The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge 

Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell ; 

Of brick, and of that stuff they cast to build 

A city & tower, whose top may reach to Heaven ; 

And get themselves a name, lest, far dispers'd 45 

In foreign lands, their memory be lost, 

Regardless whether good or evil fame. 

But God who oft descends to visit men 

Unseen, and through their habitations walks 

To mark their doings, them beholding soon 50 

Comes down to see their city, ere the tower 

Obstruct Heaven's towers; and in derision, sets 

Upon their tongues a various spirit, to rase 

Quite out their native language, and instead, 

To sow a jangling noise of words unknown. 55 

Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud 

Among the builders : each to other calls, 

Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage, 

A? mock'd, they storm : great laughter was in Heaven, 

And looking down, to see the hubbub strange, 60 

And hear the din : thus was the building left 

Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named." 

Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeased. 
" O execrable son, so to aspire 

Above his brethren, to himself assuming 65 

Authority, usurp'd from God, not given ! 
He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl, 
Dominion absolute ; that right we hold 
By his donation ; but man over men 
He made not lord : such title to himself 70 

Reserving, human left from human free. 
But this usurper his encroachment proud 
Stays not on man : to God his tower intends v 
Siege and defiance. Wretched man! what food 
Will he convey up thither, to sustain 75 

Himself and his rash army ? where thin air, 
Above the clouds, will pine his entrails gross, 
And famish him of breath, if not of bread." 

To whom thus Michael. "Justly thou abhor'st 
That son, who on the quiet state of men 80 

Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue 
Rational liberty; yet know withal, 
Since thy original lapse, true liberty 
Is lost, which always with right reason dwells 



IMRADISE LOST. 265 

Twin'd, and from her hath no dividual being : 85 

Reason in man obscured, or not obey'd, 

Immediately inordinate desires, 

And upstart passions, catch the government 

From reason, and to servitude reduce 

Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits, 9Q 

Within himself, unworthy powers to reign 

Over free reason, God, in judgment just, 

Subjects him, from without, to violent lords : 

Who oft, as undeservedly, inthrall 

His outward freedom. Tyranny must be, 95 

Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse, 

Yet sometimes nations will decline so low 

From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, 

But justice, and some fatal curse annex'd, 

Deprives them of their outward liberty, 100 

Their inward loss. Witness the irreverent son 

Of him who built the ark ; who, for the shame 

Done to his father, heard this heavy curse, 

" Servant of servants," on his vicious race. 

Thus will this latter, as the former world, 105 

Still tend from bad to worse ; till God, at last, 

Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw 

His presence from among them, and avert 

His holy eyes ; resolving, from thenceforth 

To leave them to their own polluted ways; 110 

And one peculiar nation to select 

From all the rest, of whom to be invoked ; 

A nation, from one faithful man to spring : 

Him, on this side Euphrates yet residing, 

Bred up in idol-worship. O that men, 115 

Canst thou believe? should be so stupid grown, 

While yet the patriarch lived, who 'scap'd the flood. 

As to forsake the living God, and fall 

To worship their own work, in wood and stone, 

For gods ! Yet him God the Most High vouchsafes 120 

To call, by vision, from his father's house, 

His kindred, and false gods, into a land 

Which he will show him, & from him will raise 

A mighty nation, and upon him shower 

His benediction so, that in his seed 125 

All nations shall be bless'd : he straight obeys, 

Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes. 

I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith 

He leaves his gods, his friends, & native soil, 

Ur of Chaldea; passing now the ford 130 

To Ha ran, after him a cumbrous tram 



'266 PARADISE LOST. 

Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude ; 

Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth 

With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown. 

Canaan he now attains; I see his tents 135 

Pitch'd about Sechem, and the nei'ghb'ring plain 

Of Moreb ; there, by promise, he receives 

Gift to his progeny of all that land, 

From Hamath northward to the desert south, 

Things by their names I call, though yet unnamed, 1 40 

From Hermon east to the great western sea ; 

Mount Hermon, yonder sea, each place behold 

In prospect, as I point them ; on the shore 

Mount Carmel; here the double-founted stream, 

Jordan, true limit eastward; but his sons 145 

Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. 

This ponder ; that all nations of the earth 

Shall in his seed be blessed ; by that seed 

Is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise 

The serpent's head ; whereof to thee anon 1 50 

Plainlier shall be reveal'd. This patriarch bless'd, 

Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, 

A son, and of his son a grandchild leaves, 

Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown : 

The grandchild , with twelve sons increased, departs 1 55 

From Canaan, to a land hereafter call'd 

Egypt, divided by the river Nile ; 

See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths 

Into the sea : to sojourn in that land 

He comes, invited by a younger son 160 

In time of dearth ; a son, whose worthy deeds 

Raise him to be the second in that realm 

Of Pharaoh ; there he dies, & leaves his race 

Growing into a nation ; and now grown 

Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks [65 

To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests 

Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves, 

Inhospitably, and kills their infant males : 

Till by two brethren, those two brethren call 

Moses and Aaron, sent from God, to claim 1 70 

His people from enthralment, they return 

With glory & spoil, back to their promised land. 

But first the lawless tyrant, who denies 

To know their God, or message to regard, 

Must be compell'd, by signs & judgments dire ; 1 75 

To blood unshed the rivers must be turn'd ; 

Frogs lice, and flies, must all his palace fill, 

With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land ; 



PARADISE LOST. 267 

His cattle must of rot and murrain die ; 

Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, ISO 

And all his people ; thunder mix'd with hail, 

Hail mix'd with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky, 

And wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls ; 

What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain, 

A darksome cloud of locusts, swarming down, 185 

Must eat, & on the ground leave nothing green : 

Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, 

Palpable darkness, and blot out three days ; 

Last, with one midnight stroke, all the first born 

Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus, with ten wounds, 1 9Q 

The river-dragon tamed, at length submits 

To let his sojourners depart, and oft 

Humbles his stubborn heart, but still, as ice 

More harden 'd after thaw ; till, in his rage, 

Pursuing whom he late dismiss'd, the sea 195 

Swallows him with his host ; but them lets pass, 

As on dry land, between two crystal walls, 

Awed by the rod of Moses so to stand 

Divided, till his rescued gain their shore ; 

Such wondrous power God to his saint will lend , 200 

Though present in his Angel ; who shall go 

Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire, 

By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire, 

To guide them in their journey, and remove 

Behind them, while the obdurate king pursues : 205 

All night he will pursue ; but his approach 

Darkness defends between, till morning watch : 

Then through the fiery pillar and the cloud 

God looking forth, will trouble all his host, 

And craze their chariot- wheels : when, by command, 210 

Moses once more his potent rod extends 

Over the sea ; the sea his rod obeys. 

On their embattled ranks the waves return, 

And overwhelm their war. The race elect, 

Safe towards Canaan, from the shore advance, 215 

Through the wild desert ; not the readiest way, 

Lest entering on the Canaanite alarmed, 

War terrify them, inexpert, and fear 

Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather 

Inglorious life, with servitude; for life, 220 

To noble and ignoble, is more sweet 

Untrain'd in arms, where rashness leads not on. 

This also shall they gain, by their delay 

In the wide wilderness ; there they shall found 

Their government, & their great senate choose 225 



268 PARADISE LOST. 

Through the twelve tribes, to rule by laws ordain'd : 

God from the mount of Sinai, whose gray top 

Shall tremble, he descending, will himself 

In thunder, lightning, & loud trumpets' sound, 

Ordain them laws ; part such as appertain 230 

To civil justice, part religious rites 

Of sacrifice, informing them, by types 

And shadows, of that destined Seed to bruise 

The Serpent ; by what means he shall achieve 

Mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God 235 

To mortal ear is dreadful : they beseech 

That Moses might report to them his will, 

And terror cease : he grants what they besought, 

Instructed that to God is no access 

Without mediator ; whose high office now 240 

Moses in figure bears, to introduce 

One greater, of whose day he shall foretel, 

And all the prophets, in their age, the times 

Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus laws & rites, 

Establish'd ; such delight hath God in men 245 

Obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes 

Among them to set up his tabernacle, 

The Holy One with mortal men to dwell : 

By his prescript, a sanctuary is framed 

Of cedar, overlaid with gold ; therein 250 

An ark, and in the ark his testimony, 

The records of his covenant, over these 

A mercy-seat of gold, between the wings 

Of two bright Cherubim ; before him burn 

Seven lamps, as in a zodiac, representing 255 

The heavenly fires ; over the tent a cloud 

Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night, 

Save when they journey ; & at length they come, 

Conducted by his Angel, to the land 

Promised to Abraham & his seed. The rest 260 

Were long to tell ; how many battles fought, 

How many kings destroy'd, & kingdoms won, 

Or how the sun shall, in mid Heaven, stand still 

A day entire, & night's due course adjourn, 

Man's voice commanding, ' Sun, in Gibeon stand, 265 

And thou moon, in the vale of Ajalon,' 

Till Israel overcome : so call the third 

From Abraham, son of Isaac, and from him 

His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win." 

Here Adam interposed. " O sent from Heaven, 270 

Enhghtener of my darkness, gracious things 
Thou hast reveal'd ; those chiefly which concern 



PARADISE LOST. 269 

Just Abraham and his seed : now first I find 

Mine eyes true opening, & my heart much eased 

Erewhile perplex'd with thoughts, what would become 275 

Of me and all mankind : but now I see 

His day, in whom all nations shall be bless'd; 

Favour unmerited by me, who sought 

Forbidden knowledge, by forbidden means. 

This yet I apprehend not; why to those, 280 

Among whom God will deign to dwell on earth, 

So many and so various laws are given ; 

So many laws argue so many sins 

Among them ; how can God with such reside V 

To whom thus Michael. ' ' Doubt not but that sin 285 

Will reign among them, as of thee begot ; 
And therefore was law given them, to evince 
Their natural pravity, by stirring up 
Sin against law to fight ; that when they see 
Law can discover sin, but not remove, 290 

Save by those shadowy expiations weak, 
The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude, 
Some blood more precious must be paid for man, 
Just for unjust; that in such righteousness, 
To them by faith imputed, they may find 295 

Justification towards God, and peace 
Of conscience, which the law by ceremonies 
Cannot appease ; nor man the moral part 
Perform, and, not performing, cannot live. 
So law appears imperfect, and but given 300 

With purpose to resign them, in full time, 
Up to a better covenant, disciplined 
From shadowy types to truth, from flesh to spirit, 
From imposition of strict laws, to free . 
Acceptance of large grace, from servile fear 305 

To filial, works of law to works of faith. 
And therefore shall not Moses, though of God 
Highly beloved, being but the minister 
Of law, his people into Canaan lead ; 
But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call, 310 

His name and office bearing, who shall quell 
The adversary serpent, and bring back, 
Through the world's wilderness, long wander'd man, 
Safe to eternal Paradise of rest. 

Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan placed, '315 

Long time shall dwell, and prosper ; but when sins 
National interrupt their public peace, 
Provoking God to raise them enemies ; 
From whom as oft he saves them, penitent, 



270 PARADISE LOST. 

By judges first, then under kings ; of whom 320 

The second, both for piety renown'd, 

And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive. 

Irrevocable, that his regal throne 

For ever shall endure ; the like shall sing 

All prophecy, that of the royal stock 325 

Of David, so I name^this king, shall rise 

A son, the woman's seed to thee foretold, 

Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust 

All nations ; and to kings foretold, of kings 

The last, for of his reign shall be no end. 330 

But first a long succession must ensue ; 

And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, 

The clouded ark of God, till then in tents 

Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. 

Such follow him as shall be register'd, 335 

Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scroll ; 

Whose foul idolatries, and other faults, 

Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense 

God, as to leave them, and expose their land, 

Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, 340 

With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey 

To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st 

Left in confusion, Babylon thence call'd. 

There, in captivity, he lets them dwell 

The space of seventy years ; then brings them back, 345 

Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn 

To David, establish'd as the days of Heaven. 

Return'd from Babylon, by leave of kings, 

Their lords, whom God disposed, the house of God 

They first re-edify ; and for a while ' 350 

In mean estate live moderate, till, grown 

In wealth and multitude, factious they grow : 

But first among the priests dissention springs, 

Men who attend the altar, and should most 

Endeavour peace : their strife pollution brings 355 

Upon the temple itself; at last they seize 

The sceptre, and regard not David's sons ; 

Then lose it to a stranger, that the true 

Anointed king Messiah might be born 

Barr'd of his right: yet at his birth a star, 360 

Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come, 

And guides the eastern sages, who enquire 

His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold. 

His place of birth a solemn angel tells 

To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night ; 365 

T iiey gladly thither haste, and, by a quire 



PARADISE LOST. 27! 

Of squadron'd angels hear his carol sung, 

A virgin is his mother, but his sire 

The power of the Most High ; he shall ascend 

The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 370 

With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens. " 

He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy 

Surcharged, as had, like grief, been dew'd in tears, 

Without the vent of words, which these he breathed 

" O prophet of glad tidings, finisher 375 

Of utmost hope ! now clear I understand 
What oft my steadiest thoughts have search'd in vain j 
Why our great expectation should be call'd 
The seed of woman : Virgin Mother, hail, 
High in the love of Heaven ! yet from my loins 360 

Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son 
Of God most High : so God with man unites. 
Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise 
Expect, with mortal pain : say, where and when 
Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel ?" 385 

To whom thus Michael. " Dream not of their fight, 
As of a duel, or the local wounds 
Of head or heel : not therefore joins the Son 
Manhood to Godhead, with more strength to foil 
Thy enemy ; nor so is overcome 390 

Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise, 
Disabled not to give thee thy death's wound ■ 
Which he, who comes thy Saviour, shall re-cure, 
Not by destroying Satan, but his works, 
In thee and in thy seed : nor can this be, 395 

But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, 
Obedience to the law of God, imposed 
On penalty of death, and suffering death, 
The penalty to thy transgression due, 
And due to theirs, which out of thine will grow : 400 

So only can high justice rest appaid. 
The law of God exact he shall fulfil, 
Both by obedience and by love, though love 
Alone fulfil the law : thy punishment 
He shall endure, by coming, in the flesh, 405 

To a reproachful life, and cursed death, 
Proclaiming life to all, who shall believe 
In his redemption, and that his obedience, 
Imputed, becomes theirs by faith ; his merits 
To save them, not their own , though legal works. 41 

For this he shall live hated, be blasphemed, 
Seiz'd on by force, judged, and to death condemn'd; 
A shameful and accursed, nail'd to the cross, 



272 PARADISE LOST. 

By his own nation ; slain for bringing life : 

But to the cross lie nails thy enemies, 415 

The law, that is against thee, and the sins 

Of all mankind, with him there crucify 'd, 

Never to hurt them more, who rightly trust 

In this his satisfaction ; so he dies, 

But soon revives; death over him no power 420 

Shall long usurp : ere the third dawning light 

Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise, 

Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light ; 

The ransom paid, which man from death redeems, 

His death for man, as many as ofFer'd life 425 

Neglect not, and the benefit embrace 

By faith not void of works. This God-like act 

Annuls thy doom, the death thou should'st have died, 

In sin for ever lost from life ; this act 

Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, 430 

Defeating sin and death, his two main arms, 

And fix far deeper in his head their stings, 

Than temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel, 

Or theirs whom he redeems ; a death-like sleep, 

A gentle wafting to immortal life. 435 

Nor, after resurrection, shall he stay 

Longer on earth than, certain times, to appear 

To his disciples, men who in his life 

Still followed him ; to them shall leave in charge 

To teach all nations, what of him they learn'd, 440 

And his salvation ; them who shall believe 

Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign 

Of washing them from guilt of sin to life, 

Pure and in mind prepared, if so befal, 

For death, like that which the Redeemer died. 445 

Ail nations they shall teach ; for, from that day, 

Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins 

Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons 

Of Abraham's faith, where-ever through the world ; 

So, in his seed, all nations shall be bless'd, 450 

Then to the Heaven of Heavens he shall ascend, 

With victory, triumphing through the air, 

Over his foes and thine ; there shall surprise 

The Serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains 

Through all his realm, & there confounded leave : 455 

Then enter into glory, and resume 

His seat at God's right hand, exalted high, 

Above all names in Heaven ; & thence shall come, 

When this world's dissolution shall be ripe, 

With glory & power, to judge both quick & dead ; 460 



PARADISE LOST. 273 

To judge the unfaithful dead ; but to reward 

His faithful, and receive them into bliss, 

Whether in Heaven or Earth ; for then the Earth 

Shall all be Paradise, far happier place 

Than this of Eden, and far happier days." -1G5 

So spake the Arch- angel Michael ; then paused, 
As at the world's great period ; and our sire, 
Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied. 

" O goodness infinite, goodness immense ! 
That all this good of evil shall produce, 470 

And evil turn to good ; more wonderful 
Than that which, by creation, first brought forth 
Light out of darkness ! full of doubt I stand, 
Whether I should repent me now of sin, 
By me done and occasion'd, or rejoice 475 

Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring- - } 
To God more glory, more good will to men 
From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. 
But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven 
Must re-ascend, what will betide the few, 480 

His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd, 
The enemies of truth ? who then shall guide 
His people, who defend ? will they not deal 
Worse with his followers than with him they dealt ?" 

" Be sure they will," said the Angel : " but from Heaven 
He to his own a Comforter will send, 
The promise of the Father ; who shall dwell 
His spirit within them and the law of faith, 
Working through love upon their hearts shall write, 
To guide them in all truth ; and also arm 490 

With spiritual armour, able to resist 
Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts ; 
What man can do against them, not afraid, 
Though to the death, against such cruelties, 
With inward consolations recompensed, 495 

And oft supported, so as shall amaze 
Their proudest persecutors : for the Spirit, 
Pour'd first on his Apostles, whom he sends 
To evangelize the nations, then on all 
Baptized, shall them with wondrous gifts endue, 500 

To speak all tongues, and do all miracles, 
As did their Lord before them. Thus they win 
Great numbers of each nation, to receive, 
With joy, the tidings brought from Heaven : at length 
Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, 50§ 

Their doctrine and their story written, left, 
They die ; but in their room, as they forewarn, 



i74 PARADISE LOST. 

Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves, 

Who all the sacred mysteries of Heaven 

To their own vile advantages shall turn, 510 

Of lucre and ambition ; and the truth, 

With superstitions and traditions taint; 

Left only in those written records pure, 

Though not but by the Spirit understood. 

Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names, 515 

Places and titles, and with these to join 

Secular power ; though feigning still to act 

By spiritual, to themselves appropriating 

The Spirit of God, promised alike, and given, 

To all believers : and from that pretence, 520 

Spiritual laws, by carnal power, shall force 

On every conscience ; laws which none shall find 

Left them enroll'd , or what the Spirit within 

Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then, 

But force the Spirit of grace itself, and bind 52£ 

His consort liberty ? what, but unbuild 

His living temples, built by faith to stand, 

Their own faith, not another's : for on earth, 

Who against faith & conscience can be heard 

Infallible ? yet many will presume : 530 

Whence heavy persecution shall arise 

On all, who in the worship persevere, 

Of spirit & truth ; the rest, far greater part, 
Will deem, in outward rites & specious forms, 
Religion satisfied ; truth shall retire, 535 

Bestuck with slanderous darts, & works of faith 
Rarely be found. So shall the world go on ; 
To good malignant, to bad men benign, 
Under her own weight groaning, till the day 
Appear of respiration to the just, 54C 

And vengeance to the wicked, at return 
Of him so lately promised to thy aid, 
The Woman's Seed, obscurely then foretold, 
Now amplier known, thy Saviour & thy Lord, 
Last in the clouds from Heaven to be reveal'd, 545 

In glory of the Father, to dissolve 
Satan, with his perverted world ; then raise 
From the conflagrant mass, purged and refined, 
New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, 
Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love, 550 

To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss." 
He ended ; and thus Adam last replied. 
" How soon hath thy prediction, Seer bless'd, 
Measured this transient world, the race of time, 
Till time stand fix'd ? beyond is all abyss, 555 



PARADISE LOST. 



275 



Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. 
Greatly instructed, I shall hence depart, 
Greatly in peace of thought, & have my till 
Of knowledge, what this vessel can contain ; 
Beyond which was my folly to aspire. 3 GO 

Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, 
And love with fear the only God, to walk 
As in his presence, ever to observe 
His providence, and on him sole depend, 
Merciful over all his works, with good 565 

Still overcoming evil, and by small, 
Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak. 
Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise 
By simply meek ; that suffering for truth's sake 
Is fortitude, to highest victory, 570 

And to the faithful death the gate of life : 
Taught this by his example, whom I now 
Acknowledge my Redeemer, ever bless'd." 
To whom thus also the Angel last replied : 
" This having learn 'd, thou hast attain'd the sum 575 

Of wisdom ; hope no higher, though all the stars 
Thou kriew'st by name, & all the ethereal powers, 
All secrets of the deep, all nature's works, 

Or works of God in Heaven, air, earth, or sea, 

And all the riches of this world enjoy'd'st, 530 

And all the rule, one empire ; only add 

Deeds, to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, 

Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, 

By name to come call'd charity, the soul 

Of all the rest : then wilt thou not be loath 585 

To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess 

A Paradise within thee, happier far. 

Let us descend now therefore, from this top 

Of speculation, for the hour precise 

Exacts our parting hence ; & see, the guards, 590 

By me encamp'd on yonder hill, expect 

Their motion, at whose front a flaming sword, 

In signal of remove, waves fiercely round ; 

We may no longer stay. Go, waken Eve; 

Her also I, with gentle dreams, have calm'd, 595 

Portending good, & all her spirits composed 

To meek submission : thou, at season fit, 

Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard ; 

Chiefly what my concern her faith to know, 

The great deliverance by her seed to come, 600 

For by the woman's seed, on all mankind; 

That ye may live, which will be many days, 

Both in one faith unanimous, though sad, 



276 PARADISE LOST. 

With cause, for evils pass'd, yet much more cheer'd 

With meditation on the happy end." 605 

He ended ; and they both descend the hill : 
Descended, Adam, to the bower where Eve 
Lay sleeping, ran before ; but found her waked : 
And thus with words not sad, she him received. 

' ' Whence thou retum'st, & whither went'st I know ; 610 
For God is also in sleep, and dreams advise, 
Which he hath sent propitious, some great good 
Presaging, since with sorrow & heart's distress 
Wearied I fell asleep. But now lead on, 
In me is no delay ; with thee to go, 615 

Is to stay here ; without thee, here to stay, 
Is to go hence unwilling ; thou to me 
Art all things under Heaven, all places thou, 
Who, for my wilful crime, art banish'd hence, 
This further consolation, yet secure, 620 

I carry hence ; though all by me is lost, 
Such favour I unworthy, am vouchsafed, 
By me, the promised Seed shall all restore." 

So spake our mother Eve ; and Adam heard 
Well pleased, but answer'd not ; for now too high 625 

The Arch-angel stood ; and from the other hill 
To their fix'd station, all in bright array 
The Cherubim descended ; on the ground 
Gliding meteorous, as evening mist, 
Risen from a river, o'er the marish glides, 630 

And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel, 
Homeward returning. High in front advanced, 
The brandish'd sword of God before them blazed 
Fierce, as a comet ; which with torrid heat, 
And vapour, as the Libyan air adust 635 

Began to parch that temperate clime : whereat, 
In either hand, the hastening Angel caught 
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate 
Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast, 
To the subjected plain ; then disappear'd. 640 

They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld 
Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, 
Waved over by that flaming brand ; the gate 
With dreadful faces throng'd, and fiery^rms : 
Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wiped them soon. 64,5 
The world was all before them, where to choose 
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide : 
They, hand in hand, with wandering steps & slow. 
Through Eden took their solitary way. 

THE END OF PARADISE LOST. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK. I. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The Subject proposed. Invocation of the Holy Spirit. — The Poem 
opens with John baptizing at the river Jordan. Jesus coming 
there is baptized ; and is attested, by the descent of the Holy 
Ghost, and by a voice from Heaven, to be the Son of God. Satan, 
who is present, upon this immediately flies up into the regions of 
the air: where, summoning his Infernal Council, he acquaints 
them with his apprehensions that Jesus is that seed of the Wo- 
man, destined to destroy all their power, and points out to them 
the immediate necessity of bringing the matter to proof, and of 
attempting, by snares and fraud, to counteract and defeat the per- 
son, from whom they have so much to dread. This office he offers 
himself to undertake ; and, his offer being accepted, he sets out 
on his enterprise. — In the mean time God, in the assembly of holy 
Angels, declares that he has given up his Son to be tempted by 
Satan ; but foretels that the Tempter shall be completely defeated 
by him : upon which the Angels sing a hymn of triumph. Jesus 
is led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, while he is meditating 
oi! the commencement of his great office of Saviour of Mankind, 
Pi. i»uing his meditations he narrates, in a soliloquy, what divine 
and philanthropic impulses he had felt from his early youth, and 
how his mother Mary, on perceiving these dispositions in him, 
had acquainted him with the circumstances of his birth, and in- 
formed him that he was no less a person than the Son of God; to 
which he adds what his own inquiries and reflections had supplied 
in confirmation of this great truth, and particularly dwells on the 
recent attestation of it at the river Jordan. Our Lord passes forty 
days, fasting, in the wilderness ; where the wild beasts become 
mild and harmless in his presence. Satan now appears under the 
form of an old peasant; and enters into discourse with our Lord, 
wondering what could have brought him alone into so dangerous a 
place, and at the same time professing to recognize him for the 
person lately acknowledged by John, at the river Jordan, to be the 
Son of God. Jesus briefly replies. Satan rejoins with a descrip- 
tion of the difficulty of supporting life in the wilderness; and en- 
treats Jesus, if he be really the Son of God, to manifest his divine 
power, by changing some of the stones into bread. Jesus reproves 
him, and at the same time tells him that he knows who he is. 
Satan instantly avows himself, and offers an artful apology for 
himself and his conduct. Our blessed Lord severely reprimands 
him, and refutes every part of his justification. Satan, with much 
semblance of humility, still endeavours to justify himself; and, 
professing his admiration of Jesus and his regard for virtue, re- 
quests to be permitted at a future time to hear more of hi3 con ■ 
versation ; but is answered, that this must be as he shall find per 
mission from above. Satan then disappears, and the Book closes 
with a short description of night coming on in the desert. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK I. 

I, who erewhile the happy garden sung, 
By one man's disobedience lost, now sing 
Recover'd Paradise to all mankind, 
By one man's firm obedience, fully tried 
Through all temptation, & the Tempter foil'd, g 

In all his wiles defeated, and repulsed, 
And Eden raised in the waste wilderness. 

Thou Spirit, who ledst this glorious Eremite 
Into the desert, his victorious field, 
Against the spiritual foe, & brought'st him thence, ] q 

By proof the undoubted Son of God, inspire, 
As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mute ; 
And bear thro'highth or depth of nature's bounds, 
With prosperous wing full summ'd, to tell of deeds 
Above heroic, though in secret done, 15 

And unrecorded left through many an age ; 
Worthy to have not remained so long unsung. 
Now had the great Proclaimer, with a voice 
More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried 
Repentance, & Heaven's kingdom nigh at hand 20 

To all baptized. To his great baptism flock'd, 
With awe, the regions round ; & with them came, 
From Nazareth, the son of Joseph deem'd, 
To the flood Jordan, came as then obscure, 
Unmark'd, unknown ; but him the Baptist soon 25 

Descried, divinely warn'd, and witness bore 
As to his worthier, and would have resign'd 
To him his heavenly office ; nor was long 
His witness unconfirm'd : on him baptized 
Heaven open'd, and, in likeness of a dove, SO 

The Spirit descended ; while the Father's voice, 
From Heaven pronounced him his beloved Son. 
That heard the adversary, who roving still 
About the world, at that assembly famed 
Would not be last ; and with the voice divine 33 

Nigh thunder-struck, the exalted man, to whom 
Such high attest was given, a while survey'd 



280 PARADISE REGAINED. 

With wonder ; then, with envy fraught & rage, 

Flies to his place, nor rests, but in mid air 

To counsel summons all his mighty peers, 4^ 

Within thick clouds and dark tenfold involved, 

A gloomy consistory ; and them amidst, 

With looks aghast & sad, he thus bespake, 

" O ancient powers of air & this wide world 
(For much more willingly I mention air, 45 

This our old conquest, than remember Hell, 
Our hated habitation;)! well ye know 
How many ages, as the years of men, 
This universe we have possess'd, and ruled, 
In manner at our will, the affairs of earth, 50 

Since Adam and his facile consort Eve 
Lost Paradise, deceived by me ; though since 
With dread attending, when that fatal wound 
Shall be inflicted, by the seed of Eve 
Upon my head. Long the decrees of Heaven 55 

Delay ; for longest time to Him is short ; 
And now, too soon for us, the circling hours 
This dreaded time have compass'd, wherein we 
Must bide the stroke of thatlong-threaten'd wound 
At least if so we can, and by the head 60 

Broken, be not intended all our power 
To be infringed, our freedom, and our being, 
In this fair empire won of earth and air ; 
For this ill news I bring, the Woman's Seed, 
Destined to this, is late of woman born : 65 

His birth to our just fear gave no small cause ; 
But his growth now to youth's full flower, displaying 
All virtue, grace, and wisdom, to achieve 
Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. 
Before him a great prophet, to proclaim 70 

His coming, is sent harbinger, who all 
Invites, and in the consecrated stream 
Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them, so 
Purified, to receive him pure, or rather, 
To do him honour as their king ; all come, 75 

And he himself among them was baptized ; 
Not thence to be more pure, but to receive 
The testimony of Heaven, that who he is 
Thenceforth the nations may not doubt. I saw 
The prophet do him reverence ; on him rising °0 

Out of the water, Heaven, above the clouds, 
Unfold her crystal doors, thence, on his head 
A perfect dove descend, whate'er it meant ; 
And out of Heaven the sovereign voice I heard. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



281 



*This is my Son beloved, in him am pleased.* 85 

His mother then is mortal} but his Sire 

He who obtains the monarchy of Heaven ; 

And what will he not do to advance his Son? 

His first-begot we know, and sore have felt, 

When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep ; 90 

Who this is we must learn, for man he seems 

In all his lineaments ; though in his face 

The glimpses of his Father's glory shine. 

Ye see our danger, on the utmost edge 

Of hazard, which admits no long debate, 95 

But must with something sudden be opposed $ 

Not force, but well-couch'd fraud, well woven snares, 

Ere in the head of nations he appear, 

Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. 

I, when no other durst, sole undertook 100 

The dismal expedition, to find out 

And ruin Adam, and the exploit perform'd 

Successfully: a calmer voyage now 

Will waft me j & the way, found prosperous once, 

Induces best to hope of like success." 105 

He ended 3 and his wo ds impression left 
Of much amazement to th ' infernal crew, 
Distracted and surprised wtih deep dismay, 
At these sad tidings ; but n») time was then 
For long indulgence to theit fears or grief; 110 

Unanimous, they all commit the care 
And management of this main enterprise 
To him, their great dictator, whose attempt, 
At first, against mankind so well had thrived, 
In Adam's overthrow j and led their march 115 

From Hell's deep-vaulted den, to dwell in light, 
Regents, and potentates, and kings, yea gods. 
Of many a pleasant realm, and province wide. 
So to the coast of Jordan he directs 
His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, ] 20 

Where he might likeliest find this new declar'd, 
This man of men, attested Son of God, 
Temptation and all guile on him to tryj 
So to subvert whom he suspected raised 
To end his reign on earth, so long enjoy'd; 1.25 

But, contrary, unweeting he fulfill'd 
The purposed counsel, pre-ordain'd and fix'd 
Of the Most High, who in full frequence bright 
Of angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake. 

" Gabriel, this day by proof thou shalt behold, 130 

Thou, and all angels conversant on earth 



AOA PARADISE REGAINED. 

With man or men's affairs, how 1 begin 

To verify that solemn message, late 

On which I sent thee, to the Virgin pure 

In Galilee, that she should bear a son, 135 

Great in renown, and call'd the son of God ; 

Then told'st her, doubting, how these things could be, 

To her a virgin ; that on her should come 

The Holy Ghost, and the power of the Highest 

O'ershadow her : this Man, born &now upgrown, HO 

To show him worthy of his birth divine, 

And h'gh prediction, henceforth I expose 

To Satan : let him tempt, and now essay 

His utmost subtlety, because he boasts 

And vaunts of his great cunning, to the throng 145 

Of his apostacy : he might have learn'd 

Less overweening, since he fail'd in Job, 

Whose constant perseverance overcame 

What'er his cruel malice could invent, 

He now shall know I can produce a man, 150 

Of female seed, far abler to resist 

All his solicitations, and at length 

All his vast force, and drive him back to Hell j 

Winning by conquest, what the first man lost, 

By fallacy surprised. But first I mean 155 

To exercise him in the wilderness ; 

There, he shall first lay down the rudiments 

Of his great warfare, ere I send him forth 

To conquer Sin & Death, the two grand foes,") 

By humiliation and strong sufferance: 160 

His weakness shall o'ercome Satanic strength, 

And all the world, and mass of sinful flesh j 

That all the angels and ethereal powers, 

They now, and men hereafter, may discern 

From what consummate virtue I have chose 165 

This perfect man, by merit call'd my Son, 

To earn salvation for the sons of men.'" 

So spake the eternal Father ; & all Heaven 
Admiring stood a space ; then into hymns 
Burst forth, and in celestial measures moved, 170 

Circling the throne, & singing, while the hand 
Sung with the voice, and this the argument. 
" Victory and triumph to the Son of God ! 
Now entering his great duel ; not of arms, 
But to vanquish, by wisdom, hellish wiles. 175 

The Father knows the Son ; therefore secure 
Ventures his filial virtue, though untried, 
Against what'er may tempt, what'er seduce, 



PARADISE REGAINED. '^83 

Allure, or terrify, or undermine. 

Be frustrate all ye stratagems of Hell, 180 

And devilish machinations, come to nought!" 

So they in Heaven their odes & vigils tuned. 
Meanwhile the Son of God, who yet some days 
Lodged in Bethabara, where John baptized, 
Musing, and much revolving in his breast, L8«> 

How best the mighty work he might begin 
Of Saviour to mankind, and which way first 
Publish his Godlike office, now mature, 
One day forth walk'd alone, the Spirit leading, 
And his deep thoughts, the better to converse i 9*0 

With solitude, till far from track of men, 
Thought following thought, & step by step led on, 
He enter'd now the bordering desert wild, 
And, with dark shades & rocks environ'd round, 
His holy meditations thus pursued. 195 

"O what a multitude of thoughts at once 
Awaken'd in me swarm, while I consider 
What from within I feel myself, and hear 
What from without comes often to my ears, 
111 sorting, with my present state compared ! 200 

When I was yet a child, no childish play 
To me was pleasing j all my mind was set 
Serious to learn and know, and thence to do, 
What might be public good ; myself I thought 
Born to that end, born to promote all truth, 203 

All righteous things : therefore, above my years, 
The law of God I read, and found it sweet, 
Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 
To such perfection that, ere yet my age 
Had measured twice six years, at our great feast, 21 Q 

I went into the temple, there to hear 
The teachers of our law, & to propose 
What might improve my knowledge, or their own,- 
And was admired by all j yet this not all 
To which my spirit aspired ; victorious deeds 215 

Flamed in my heart, heroic acts, one while 
To rescue Israel from the Roman yoke, 
Then to subdue and quell, o'er all the earth, 
Brute violence, and proud tyrannic power, 
Till truth were freed, and equity restored: 220 

Yet held it more humane, more heavenly, first 
By winning words to conquer willing hearts, 
And make persuasion do the work of fear , 
At least to try, and teach the erring soul, 
Not wifully misdoing, but unaware 225 



284 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Misled ; the stubborn only to subdue. 
These growing thoughts my mother soon perceiving 
By words at times cast forth, inly rejoiced, 
And said to me apart, ' High are thy thoughts, 

Son ; but nourish them, and let them soar 230 
To what highth sacred virtue and true worth 

Can raise them, though above example high ; 

By matchless deeds express thy matchless Sire. 

For know, thou art no son of mortal man ; 

Though men esteem thee low of parentage, 235 

Thy father is the Eternal King, who rules 

All Heaven & Earth, angels and sons of men ; 

A messenger from God foretold thy birth 

Conceived in me a virgin ; he foretold 

Thou shouldst be great, and sit on David's throne, 240 

And of thy kingdom there shall be no end. 

At thy nativity a glorious quire 

Of angels, in the fields of Bethlehem, sung 

To shepherds watching at their folds by night 

And told them, the Messiah now was born, 245 

Where they might see him ; & to thee they came, 

Directed to the manger where thou laidst, 

For in the inn was left no better room: 

A star, not seen before, in Heaven appearing, 

Guided the wise men thither from the east, 250 

To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold ; 

By whose bright course led on , they found the place ; 

Affirming it thy star, new graven in Heaven, 

By which they knew the king of Israel born. 

Just Simeon, and prophetic Anna, warn'd 255 

By vision, found thee in the temple, and spake 

Before the altar and the vested priest, 

Like things of thee, to all that present stood.' 

This having heard, straight I again revolved 

The law and prophets, searching what was writ 260 

Concerning the Messiah, to our scribes 

Known partly, & soon found of whom they spake 

1 am ; this chiefly, that my way must lie 
Through many a hard essay, even to the death, 

Ere I the promised kingdom can attain, 265 

Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins, 

Full weight, must be transferred upon my head. 

Yet, neither thus dishearten'd nor dismay'd 

The time prefix'd I waited; when behold 

The Baptist, of whose birth I oft had heard, 270 

Not knew by sight, now come, who was to come 

Before Messiah, and his way prepare. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 285 

I, as all others, to his baptism came, 
Which I believed was from above ; but he 
Straight knew me, & with loudest voice proclaim'd 275 

Me him, for it was shewn him so from Heaven, 
Me him, whose harbinger he was ; and first 
Refused on me his baptism to confer, 
As much his greater, and was hardly won : 
But, as I rose out of the laving stream, 280 

Heaven open'd her eternal doors, from whence 
The Spirit descended on me like a dove ; 
And last, the sum of all, my Father's voice, 
Audibly heard from Heaven, pronounc'd me his, 
Me his beloved Son, in whom alone 285 

He was well pleased ; by which I knew the time 
Now full, that I no more should live obscure, 
But openly begin, as best becomes 
The authority which I derived from Heaven. 
And now, by some strong motion, I am led 290 

Into this wilderness, to what intent 
I learn not yet ; perhaps I need not know ; 
For what concerns my knowledge God reveals." 
So spake our Morning-star, then in his rise; 
And looking round, on every side, beheld 295 

A pathless desert, dusk with horrid shades ; 
The way he came not having mark'd, return 
Was difficult, by human steps untrod ; 
And he still on was led, but with such thoughts 
Accompanied, of things past and to come, 300 

Lodged in his breast, as well might recommend 
Such solitude, before choicest society. 
Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill 
Sometimes, anon on shady vale, each night 
Under the covert of some ancient oak, 305 

Or cedar, to defend him from the dew, 
Or harbour'd in one cave, is not reveal'd ; 
Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt, 
Till those days ended, hungered then at last, 
Among wild beasts : they at his sight grew mild, 310 

Nor sleeping, him, nor waking, harm'd; his walk 
The fiery serpent fled, and noxious worm ; 
The lion and fierce tiger glared aloof. 
But now an aged man, in rural weeds, 
Following, as seem'd, the quest of some stray ewe 315 

Or wither'd sticks to gather, which might serve 
Against a winter's day, when winds blow keen 
To warm him, wet return'd from field at eve, 
He saw approach ; who first with curious eye 



286 PARADISE REGAINED, 

Perused him, then with words thus utter'd spake. 320 

" Sir, what ill chance hath brought thee to this place, 
So far from path or road of men, who pass 
In troop or caravan ? for single, none 
Durst ever, who return'd, and dropp'd not here 
His carcass, pined with hunger & with drought. 325 

I ask the rather, and the more admire, 
For that to me thou seem'st the man, whom late 
Our new baptizing prophet at the ford 
Of Jordan, honour'd so, and call'd thee Son 
Of God : [ saw and heard, for we sometimes, 330 

Who dwell this wild, constraint by want, come forth 
To town or village nigh, nighest is far, 
Where aught we hear, and curious are to hear 
What happens new ; fame also finds us out." 
To whom the Son of God. " Who brought me hither 335 
Will bring me hence ; no other guide I seek." 

" By miracle he may," replied the swain ; 
"What other way I see not; for we here 
Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inured 
More than the camel, and to drink go far, 340 

Men to much misery and hardship born : 
But, if thou be the Son of God, command 
That out of these hard stones be made thee bread. 
So shalt thou save thyself, and us relieve 
With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste." 345 

He ended; and the Son of God replied. 
" Think'st thou suchforce in bread ? Is it not written, 
For I discern thee other than thou seem'st, 
Man lives not by bread only, but each word 
Proceeding from the mouth of God, who fed 350 

Our fathers here with manna ? in the mount 
Moses was forty days, nor eat nor drank j 
And forty days Elijah, without food, 
Wander' d this barren waste j the same I now : 
Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust, 3 >5 

Knowing who I am, as I know who thou art?" 

Whom thus answer'd the Arch-fiend, now undisguised 
" 'Tis true I am that spirit unfortunate, 
Who leagued with, millions more in rash revolt, 
Kept not my happy station, but was driven. 360 

With them, from bliss to the bottomless deep j 
Yet to that hideous place not so confined 
By rigour unconniving, but that oft, 
Leaving my dolorous prison, I enjoy 
Large liberty to round this globe of earth, 's65 

Or range in the air ; nor from the Heaven of Heavens 



PARADISE REGAINED. 287 

Hath he excluded my resort sometimes. 

I came among the sons of God, when he 

Gave up into my hands Uzzean Job,' 

To prove him, and illustrate his high worth ; 370 

And when to all his angels he proposed 

To draw the proud king Ahab into fraud, 

That he might fall in Itamoth, they demurring, 

I undertook that office, and the tongues 

Of all his flattering prophets glibb'd with lies, 375 

To his destruction, as I had in charge ; 

For what he bids I do : though I have lost 

Much lustre of my native brightness, lost 

To be beloved of God, I have not lost 

To love ; at least contemplate and admire 380 

What I see excellent in good, or fair, 

Or virtuous ; I should so have lost all sense. 

What can be then less in me than desire 

To see thee, & approach thee, whom I know 

Declared the Son of God, to hear attent 385 

Thy ^wisdom, & behold thy Godlike deeds ? 

Men generally think me much a foe 

To all mankind : why should I ? they to me 

Never did wrong or violence j by them 

I lost not what I lost 5 rather, by them 390 

I gain'd what I have gain'd, & with them dwell 

Co-partner in these regions of the world, 

If not disposer ; lend them oft my aid, 

Oft my advice, by presages and signs, 

And answers, oracles, portents, and dreams, 395 

Whereby they may direct their future life. 

Envy, they say, excites me, thus to gain 

Companions of my misery and woe, 

At first it may be j but long since with woe 

Nearer acquainted, now I feel, by proof, 400 

That fellowship in pain divides not smart, 

Nor lightens aught each man's peculiar load.N 

Small consolation then, were man adjoin'd : 

This wounds me most, what can it less ? that man, 

Man fallen shall be restored, I never more." 405 

To whom our Saviour sternly thus replied. 
" Deservedly thou grievest, composed of lies 
From the beginning, and in lies wilt end ; 
Who boast'st release from Hell, & leave to come 
Into the Heaven of Heavens: thou comest indeed 410 
As a poor miserable captive thrall 
Tomes to the place, where he before had sat, 
Among the prime in splendour j now deposed, 



288 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Ejected, emptied, gazed, un pitied, shunn'd, 

A spectacle of ruin, or of scorn, 415 

To all the host of Heaven : the happy place 

Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy 

"Rather inflames thy torment, representing 

Lost bliss, to thee no more communicable j 

So never more in Hell than when in Heaven. 420 

But thou art serviceable to Heaven's king. 

Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy fear 

Extorts, or pleasure to do ill excites ? 

What, but thy malice, moved thee to misdeem 

Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflict him 425 

With all inflictions ? but his patience won. 

The other service was thy chosen task, 

To be a liar in four hundred mouths ; 

For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. 

Yet thou pretend'st to truth j all oracles 430 

By thee are given, & what confess'd more true 

Among the nations? that hath been thy craft, 

By mixing somewhat true, to vent more lies. 

But what have been thy answers ) what but dark, 

Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding, 435 

Which they who ask'd have seldom understood j 

And not well understood, as good not known. 

Who ever by consulting at thy shrine 

Return'd the wiser, or the more instruct, 

To fly or follow what concern'd him most, 440 

And run not sooner to his fatal snare ? 

For God hath justly given the nations up 

To thy delusions ; justly, since they fell 

Idolatrous : but, when his purpose is 

Among them to declare his Providence 445 

To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy truth, 

But from him, or his Angels president 

In every province, who, themselves disdaining 

T' approach thy temples, give thee in command 

What, to the smallest tittle, thou shalt say 450 

To thy adorers ? Thou, with trembling fear, 

Or, like a fawning parasite, obey'st : 

Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. 

But this thy glory shall be soon retrench'd ; 

No more shalt thou by oracling abuse 455 

The Gentiles j henceforth oracles are ceas'd, 

And thou no more with pomp and sacrifice 

Shalt be inquir'd at Delphos, or elsewhere j 

At least in vain, for they shall find thee mute 

God hath now sent his living oracle 460 



PARADISE REGAINED. 289 

Into the world to teach his final will, 
And sends his Spirit of truth henceforth to dwell 
In pious hearts, an inward oracle 
To all truth requisite for men to know." 

So spake our Saviour ; but the subtle Fiend, 465 

Though inly stung with anger and disdain, 
Dissembled, & this anwer smooth return'd. 
" Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke, 
And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will 
But misery hath wrested from me. Where 470 

Easily canst thou find one miserable, 
And not enforc'd ofttimes to part from truth, 
If it may stand him more in stead to lie, 
Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjure? 
But thou art plac'd above me, thou art Lord ; 475 

From thee I can, and must submiss, endure 
Check or reproof, and glad to 'scape so quit. 
Hard are the ways of truth, & rough to walk, 
Smooth on the tongue discours'd, pleasing to the ear, 
And tunable as sylvan pipe or song; 480 

What wonder then if I delight to hear 
Her dictates from thy mouth ? Most men admire 
Virtue, who follow not her lore : permit me 
To hear thee when I come, (since no man comes,) 
And talk at least, though I despair to attain. 485 

Thy Father, who is holy, wise, and pure, 
Suffers the hypocrite or atheous priest 
To tread his sacred courts, and minister 
About his altar, handling holy things, 
Praying or vowing ; and vouchsaf'd his voice 490 

To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet 
Inspir'd : disdain not such access to me." 

To whom our Saviour, with unalter'd brow. 
" Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope, 
I bid not, or forbid; do as thou find'st 495 

Permission from above ; thou canst not more." 

He added not; and Satan, bowing low 
His gray dissimulation, disappear'd 
Into thin air difFus'd : for now began 
Nght with her sullen wings to double-shade £00 

The desert; fowls in their clay nests were couch'd; 
And now wild beasts came forth the woods to roam. 



THE END OF BOOK I. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK II. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The Disciples of Jesus, uneasy at his long absence, reason amongst 
themselves concerning it. Mary also gives vent to her maternal 
anxiety : in the expression of which she recapitulates many cir- 
cumstances respecting the birth and early life of her Son. — Satan 
again meets his Infernal Council, reports the bad success of his 
first temptation of our Blessed Lord, and calls upon them for coun- 
sel and assistance. Belial proposes the tempting of Jesus with 
women. Satan rebukes him for his dissoluteness, charging on him 
all the profligacy of that kind ascribed by the poets to the Heathen 
Gods, and rejects his proposal as in no respect likely to succeed. 
Satan then suggests other modes of temptation, particularly pro- 
posing to avail himself of the circumstance of our Lord's hungering ; 
and, taking a band of chosen Spirits with him, returns to resume 
his enterprise. — Jesus hungers in the desert. — Night comes on; the 
manner in which our Saviour passes the night is described. — Morn- 
ing advances. — Satan again appears to Jesus, and, after expressing 
wonder that he should be so entirely neglected in the wilderness, 
where others had been miraculously fed, tempts him with a sump- 
tuous banquet of the most luxurious kind. This he rejects, and 
the banquet vanishes. — Satan, finding our Lord not to be assailed 
on the ground of appetite, tempts him by offering him riches, as 
the means of acquiring power : this Jesus also rejects, producing 
many instances of great actions performed by persons under vir- 
tuous poverty, and specifying the daDger of riches, and the cares 
and pains inseparable from power and greatness. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK II. 

^VLean while the new-baptiz'd, who yet remain'd 

At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen 

Him whom they heard so late expressly call'd 

Jesus Messiah, Son of God declar'd, 

And on that high authority had believ'd, 5 

And with him talk'd & with him lodg'd ; I mean 

Andrew and Simon, famous after known, 

With others though in Holy Writ not nam'd ; 

Now missing him, their joy so lately found, 

(So lately found, and so abruptly gone), 10 

Began to doubt, and doubted many days, 

And, as the days increas'd, increas'd their doubt. 

Sometimes they thought he might be only shown, 

And for a time caught up to God, as once 

Moses was in the mount and missing long ; 15 

And the great Thisbite, who on fiery wheels 

Rode up to Heaven, yet once again to come ; 

Therefore, as those young prophets then with care 

Sought lost Elijah, so in each place these 

Nigh to Bethabara, in Jericho 20 

The city of palms, JEnon, and Salem old 

Machaerus, and each town or city wall'd 

On this side the broad lake Genezaret, 

Or in Persea ; but return'd in vain. 

Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 25 

Where winds with reeds and osiers whispering play, 

Plain fishermen (no greater men them call), 

Close in a cottage low together got, 

Their unexpected loss and plaints out breathed. 

"Alas, from what high hope to what relapse 30 

Unlook'd for are we fall'n ! our eyes beheld 
Messiah certainly now come, so long 
Expected of our fathers ; we have heard 
His words, his wisdom full of grace and truth 
Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand 35 

The kingdom shall to Israel be restor'd ; 
Thus we rejoic'd, but soon our joy is turn'd 



294 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Into perplexity and new amaze : 
For whither is he gone, what accident 
Hath rapt him from us ? will he now retire 
After appearance, and again prolong 
Our expectation ? God of Israel, 
Send thy Messiah forth, the time is come ; 
Behold the kings of the earth, how they oppress 
Thy chosen ; to what highth their power unjust 
They have exalted, and behind them cast 
All fear of thee; arise, and vindicate 
Thy glory ; free thy people from their yoke, 
But let us wait; thus far he hath perform 'd, 
Sent his Anointed, and to us reveal'd him, 
By his great Prophet, pointed at and shown 
In public, and with him we have convers'd; 
Let us be glad of this, and all our fears 
Lay on his Providence ; he will not fail, 
Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 
Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence; 
Soon we shall see our Hope, our Joy, return." 

Thus they, out of their plaints, new hope resume 
To find whom at the first they found unsought : 
But, to his mother Mary, when she saw 
Others return'd from baptism, not her son, 
Nor left at Jordan, tidings of him none, 
Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, 
Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd 
Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad. 

" O what avails me now that honour high 
To have conceiv'd of God, or that salute, 
4 Hail highly favour'd, among women blest !' 
While I to sorrows am no less advanc'd, 
And fears as eminent, above the lot 
Of other women, by the birth I bore ; 
In such a season born, when scarce a shed 
Could be obtained to shelter him or me 
From the bleak air; a stable was our warmth, 
A manger his; yet soon enforc'd to fly 
Thence into Egypt, till the murderous king 
Were dead, who sought his life, and missing fill'd 
With infant blood the streets of Bethlehem; 
From Egypt home return'd, in Nazareth 
Hath been our dwelling many years ; his life 
Private, unactive, calm, contemplative, 
Little suspicious to any king ; but now, 
Full grown to man, acknowledg'd, as I hear, 
By John the Baptist, and in public shown, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 295 

Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's voice, 85 

I look'd for some great change ; to honour ? no ; 
But trouble, as old Simeon plain foretold, 
That to the fall and rising he should be 
Of many in Israel, and to a sign 
Spoken against, that through my very soul 90 

A sword shall pierce : this is my favour'd lot, 
My exaltation to afflictions high ; 
Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest; 
I will not argue that, nor will repine. 
But where delays he now ? some great intent 95 

Conceals him : when twelve years he scarce had seen , 
I lost him, but so found, as well I saw 
He could not lose himself, but went about 
His Father's business; what he meant I mus'd, 
Since understand; much more his absence now 100 

Thus long to some great purpose he obscures. 
But I to wait with patience am inur'd ; 
I My heart hath been a store-house long of things 
And sayings laid up, portending strange events." j 

Thus Mary, pondering oft, and oft to mind 105 

Recalling what remarkably had pass'd 
Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts 
Meekly compos'd awaited the fulfilling : 
While her Son, tracing the desert wild, 
Sole, but with holiest meditations fed, \\q 

Into himself descended, and at once 
All his great work to come before him set ; 
How to begin, how to accomplish best 
His end of being on earth, & mission high : 
For Satan, with sly preface to return, 
Had left him vacant, & with speed was gone 
Up to the middle region of thick air, 
Where all his potentates in council sat ; 
There, without sign of boast, or sign of joy, 
Solicitous and blank, he thus began : 1 20 

" Princes, Heaven's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones, 
Demonian Spirits now, from the element 
Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd 
Powers of fire, air, water, and earth beneath, 
So may we hold our place & these mild seats 125 

Without new trouble, such an enemy 
Is risen to invade us, who no less 
Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell ; 
I, as T undertook, and with the vote 
Consenting in full frequence was empower'd, 130 

Have found him, view'd him, tasted him ; but find 



29C PARADISE REGAINED. 

Far other labour to be undergone 

Than when I dealt with Adam, first of Men, 

Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, 

However to this Man inferior far; 135 

If he be Man by mother's side, at least 

With more than human gifts from Heaven adorn 'd , 

Perfections absolute, graces divine, 

And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. | 

Therefore I am return 'd, lest confidence 140 

Of my success with Eve in Paradise 

Deceive ye to persuasion over-sure 

Of like succeeding here : I summon all 

Rather to be in readiness, with hand 

Or counsel to assist; lest I, who erst 145 

Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd." 

So spake the old Serpent, doubting ; & from all 
With clamour was assured their utmost aid 
At his command ; when from amidst them rose 
Belial, the dissolutest Spirit that fell, ISO 

The sensuallest, and, after Asmodai, 
The fleshliest Incubus ; and thus advis'd. 

" Set women in his eye, and in his walk, 
Among daughters of men the fairest found : 
Many are in each region passing fair 155 

As the noon sky ; more like to Goddesses 
Than mortal creatures, graceful and discreet, 
Expert in amorous arts, enchanting tongues 
Persuasive, virgin majesty with mild 
And sweet allay'd, yet terrible to approach, 1G0 

Skill'd to retire, and, in retiring, draw 
Hearts after them tangled in amorous nets. 
Such object hath the power to soften & tame 
Severest temper, smooth the rugged'st brow, 
Enerve, and with voluptuous hope dissolve, 165 

Draw out with credulous desire, and lead 
At will the manliest, resolutest breast, 
As the magnetic hardest iron draws. 
Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart 
Of wisest Solomon, and made him build, 170 

And made him bow, to the Gods of his wives." 

To whom quick answer Satan thus return'd. 
" Belial, in much uneven scale thou weigh'st 
All others by thyself; because of old 
Thou thyself doat'dst on womankind, admiring 1 75 

Their shape, their colour, and attractive grace, 
None are, thou think'st, but taken with such toys 
Before the Flood thou with thy lusty crew, 



PAKADISE REGAINED. 29'' 

False titled sous of God, roaming the earth 

Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men, 180 

And coupled with them, and begot a race. 

Have we not seen, or by relation heard, 

In courts & regal chambers how thou lurk'st, 

In wood or grove, by mossy fountain side, 

In valley or green meadow, to way-lay 185 

Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene, 

Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 

Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more 

Too long, then lay'st thy scapes on names ador'd, 

Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan, 190 

Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan ? But these haunts 

Delight not all ;( among the sons of men, 

How many have with a smile made small account 

Of Beauty and her lures, easily scorn'd 

All her assaults, on worthier things intent ! ) 195 

Remember that Pellean conqueror, 

A youth, how all the beauties of the East 

He slightly view'd, & slightly overpass'd; 

How he surnam'd of Africa, dismiss'd, 

In his prime youth, the fair Iberian maid. 200 

For Solomon, he liv'd at ease, and full 

Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd not beyond 

Higher design than to enjoy his state; 

Thence to the bait of women lay expos'd : 

But he, whom we attempt, is wiser far 205 

Than Solomon, of more exalted mind, 

Made & set wholly on the accomplishment 

Of greatest things. What woman will you find. 

Though of this age the wonder & the fame, 

On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eye 210 

Of fond desire ? Or should she, confident, 

As sitting queen ador'd on Beauty's throne, 

Descend with all her winning charms begirt 

To enamour, as the zone of Venus once 

Wrought that effect on Jove, so fables tell ; 215 

How would one look from his majestic brow, 

Seated as on the top of Virtue's hill, 

Discountenance her despis'd, & put to rout 

All her array ; her female pride deject, 

Or turn to reverent awe ! for Beauty stands ? -220 

In the admiration only of weak minds 

Led captive ; cease to admire, & all her plumes 

Fall flat, and shrink into a trivial toy, 

At every sudden slighting quite abash 'd.) 

Therefore with manlier objects we must try 225 



998 PARADISE REGAINED. 

his constancy ; with such as have more show 

Of worth, of honour, glory, & popular praise, 

Rocks, whereon greatest men have oftest wreck 'd ; 

Or that which only seems to satisfy 

Lawful desires of nature, not beyond; 230 

And now I know he hungers, where no food 

Is to be found, in the wide wilderness : 

The rest commit to me ; I shall let pass 

No advantage, and his strength as oft assay." 

He ceas'd, and heard their grant in loud acclaim ; 235 

Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band 
Of Spirits, likest to himself in guile, 
To be at hand, and at his beck appear, 
If cause were to unfold some active scene 
Of various persons, each to know his part : 240 

Then to the desert takes with these his flight ; 
Where, still from shade to shade, the Son of God 
After forty days fasting had remain'd, 
Now hungering first, and to himself thus said : 

" Where will this end ? four times ten days I've pass'd 245 
Wandering this woody maze, and human food 
Nor tasted, nor had appetite ; that fast 
To . virtue I impute not, or count part 
Of what I suffer here ; if nature need not, 
Or God support nature without repast 250 

Though needing, what praise is it to endure ? 
But now I feel I hunger, which declares 
Nature hath need of what she asks ; yet God 
Can satisfy that need some other way, 
Though hunger still remain : so it remain 255 

Without this body's wasting, I content me, 
And from the sting of famine fear no harm ; 
Nor mind it, fed with better thoughts, that feed 
Me hungering more to do my Father's will." 

It was the hour of night, when thus the Son 260 

Commun'd in silent walk, then laid him down 
Under the hospitable covert nigh 
Of trees thick interwoven ; there he slept. 
And dream'd, as appetite is wont to dream, 
Of meats & drinks, nature's refreshment sweet : 2G5 

Him thought, he by the brook of Cherith stood, 
And saw the ravens with their horny beaks 
Food to Elijah bringing, even and morn, 
Though ravenous, taught to abstain from what they brought : 
He saw the Prophet also, how he fled 
Into the desert, and how there he slept 
Under a juniper ; then how awak'd 



PARADISE REGAINED. 2i)i) 

He found his supper on the coals prepar'd, 
And by the Angel was bid rise and eat, 
And eat the second time after repose, 275 

The strength whereof suffic'd him forty days : 
Sometimes that with Elijah he partook, 
Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse. 
Thus wore out night ;(& now the herald lark 
Left his ground-nest, high towering to descry 280 

The Morn's approach, & greet her with his song ;) 
As lightly from his grassy couch up rose 
Our Saviour, and found all was but a dream ; 
Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting wak'd. 
Up to a hill anon his steps he rear'd, . 285 

From whose high top to ken the prospect round, 
If cottage were in view, sheep-cote, or herd ; 
But cottage, herd, or sheep-cote none he saw ; 
Only in a bottom saw a pleasant grove, 
With chant of tuneful birds resounding loud : 290 

Thither he bent his way, determin'd there 
To rest at noon, and enter 'd soon the shade 
, High-roof d, & walks beneath, & alleys brown, 
That open'd in the midst a woody scene; 
Nature's own work it seem'd, Nature taught Art, 295 

And, to a superstitious eye, the haunt 
Of Wood-Gods & Wood- Nymphs : he viewed it round. 
When suddenly a man before him stood ; 
Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad, 
As one in city, or court, or palace bred, 300 

And with fair speech these words to him addressed : 

" With granted leave officious I return, 
But much more wonder that the Son of God 
In this wild solitude so long should bide, 
Of all things destitute ; and, well I know 305 

Not without hunger. Others of some note, 
As story tells, have trod this wilderness; 
The fugitive bond -woman, with her son 
Out-cast Nebaioth, yet found here relief 
By a providing Angel ; all the race 310 

Of Israel here had famish'd, had not God 
Rain'd from Heaven manna ; & that prophet bold, 
Native of Thebez, wandering here was fed 
Twice by a voice inviting him to eat : 
Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 315 

Forty & more deserted here indeed." 

To whom thus Jesus : " What conclud'stthou hence* 
They all had need ; I, as thou seest, have none." 

" How hast thou hunger then?" Satan replied. 



JOO TARADISE REGAINED. 

" Tell me, if food were now before thee set, 320 

Would 'st thou not eat." — " Thereafter as I like 
The giver," answered Jesus. — " Why should that 
Cause thy refusal?" said the subtle Fiend. 
'Hast thou not right to all created things? 
Owe not all creatures by just right to thee 325 

Duty and service, nor to stay till bid, 
But tender all their power ? Nor mention I 
Meats by the law unclean, or offer'd first 
To idols, those young Daniel could refuse ; 
Nor proffer'd by an enemy, though who 330 

Would scruple that, with want oppressed? behold 
Nature asham'd, or, better to express 
Troubled, that thou shouldst hunger, hath purvey'd 
From all the elements her choicest store, 
To treat thee, as beseems, and as her Lord, 335 

With honour : only deign to sit and eat." 

He spake no dream ; for, as his words had end 
Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld, 
In ample space under the broadest shade, 
A table richly spread, in regal mode, 340 

With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort 
And savour ; beasts of chase, or fowl of game, 
In pastry built, or from the spit, or boil'd, 
Gris-amber-steam'd ; all fish, from sea or shore, 
Freshet or purling brook, of shell or fin, 345 

And exquisitest name, for which was drain'd 
Pontus, and Lucrine bay, and Afric coast. 
(Alas, how simple, to these cates compar'd, 
Was that crude apple that diverted Eve !) 
And at a stately side-board, by the wine 350 

That fragrant smell diffus'd, in order stood 
Tall stripling youths rich clad, of fairer hue 
Than Ganymed or Hylas; distant more 
Under the trees now tripp'd, now solemn stood, 
Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades 355 

With fruits and flowers from Amalthea's horn, 
And ladies of the Hesperides, that seem'd 
Fairer than feign'd of old, or fabled since 
Of fairy damsels, met in forest wide 
By knights of Logres, or of Lyones, 360 

Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore. 
And all che while harmonious airs we e heard 
Of chiming strings, or charming p^pes, & winds 
Of gentlest gale Arabia" odours fann'd 
From their soft wings, & Flora's earliest smells 365 

Such was the splendour ; & the Tempter now 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



301 



His invitation earnestly renewed : — 

" What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat ? 
These are not fruits forbidd'n ; no interdict 
Defends the touching of these viands pure : 370 

Their taste no knowledge works, at least of evil, 
But life preserves, destroys life's enemy, 
Hunger, with sweet restorative delight. 
All these are Spirits of air, and woods, and springs 
Thy gentle ministers, who come to pay 375 

Thee homage, and acknowledge thee their Lord : 
What doubt'st thou, Son of God ? Sit down & eat." 

To whom thus Jesus temperately replied : — 
" Said'st thou not that to all things I had right? 
And who withholds my power that right to use ? 380 

Shall I receive by gift what of my own, 
When and where likes me best, I can command ? 
I can at will, doubt not, as soon as thou, 
Command a table in this wilderness, 
And call swift flights of Angels ministrant 385 

Array 'd in glory on my cup to attend : 
Why should'st thou then obtrude this diligence, 
In vain, where no acceptance it can find? 
And with my hunger what hast thou to do ? 
Thy pompous delicacies I contemn, 390 

And count thy spacious gifts no gifts, but guiles." 

To whom thus answer'd Satan malcontent : 
" That I have also power to give, thou seest ; 
If of that power I bring thee voluntary 
What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'd 395 

And rather opportunely in this place 
Chose to impart to thy apparent need, 
Why should'st thou not accept it > but I see 
What I can do or offer is suspect : 

Of these things others quickly will dispose, 400 

Whose pains have earn'd the far-fet spoil." With that 
Both table and provision vanish'd quite 
With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard : 
Only the importune Tempter still remain'd, 
And with these words his temptation pursued : 405 

'* By hunger, that each other creature tames, 
Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not mov'd ; 
Thy temperance, invincible besides, 
For no allurement yields to appetite ; 
And all thy heart is set on high designs, 410 

High actions ; but wherewith to be achiev'd ? 
Great acts require great means of enterprise ; 
Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 



302 PARADISE REGAINED. 

A carpenter thy father known, thyself 
Bred up in poverty and straits at home, 415 

Lost in a desert here and hunger-bit : 
Which way, or from what hope, dost thou aspire 
To greatness ? whence authority deriv'st ? 
What followers, what retinue canst thou gain, 
Or at thy heels the dizzy multitude, 420 

Longer than thou can'st feed them on thy cost ? 
Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms . 
What rais'd Antipater the Edomite, 
And his son Herod plac'd on Judah's throne, 
Thy throne, but gold that got him puissant friends ? 425 
Therefore, if at great things thou would'st arrive, 
Get riches first, get wealth, and treasure heap, 
Not difficult, if thou hearken to me : 
Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand ; 
They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain, 430 

While virtue, valour, wisdom, sit in want." 
To whom thus Jesus patiently replied : 
" Yet wealth, without these three, is impotent 
To gain dominion, or to keep it gain'd. 
Witness those ancient empires of the earth, 435 

In height of all their flowing wealth dissolved : 
But men endued with these have oft attain'd 
In lowest poverty to highest deeds ; 
Gideon, and Jephtha, and the shepherd lad, 
Whose offspring on the throne of Judah sat . 440 

So many ages, and shall yet regain 
That seat, and reign in Israel without end. 
Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world 
To me is not unknown what hath been done 
Worthy of memorial,) canst thou not remember 445 

Quintus, Fabricus, Curius, Regulus ? 
For I esteem those names of men so poor, 
Who could do mighty things, and could contemn 
Riches, though offer* d from the hand of kings. 
And what in me seems wanting, but that I 450 

May also in this poverty as soon 
Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more ? 
Extol not riches then, the toil of fools, 
The wise man's cumbrance, if not snare ; more apt 
To slacken virtue, and abate her edge, 455 

Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 
What if with like aversion I reject 
Riches and realms ? yet not, for that a crown, 
Golden in 3how, is but a wreath of thorns, 
Brings dangers troubles, cares, and sleepless nights, 460 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



303 



To him who wears the regal diadem, 
When on his shoulders each man's burden lies ; 
For therein stands the office of a king, 
His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise, 
That for the public all this weight he bears. 465 

Yet he, who reigns within himself, and rules 
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king; 
Which every wise and virtuous man attains ; 
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule 
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes, 470 

Subject himself to anarchy within, 
Or lawless passions in him, which he serves. ^ 
But to guide nations in the way of truth 
By saving doctrine, and from error lead 
To know, and knowing, worship God aright 475 

Is yet more kingly ? this attracts the soul, 
Governs the inner man, the nobler part ; 
That other o'er the body only reigns, 
And oft by force, which, to a generous mind, 
So reigning, can be no sincere delight. 480 

^ Besides, to give a kingdom hath been thougnt 
Greater and nobler done, and to lay down 
Far more magnanimous, than to assume. \ 
Riches are needless then, both for themselves, 
And for thy reason why they should be sought, 485 

To gain a sceptre, oftest better miss'd." 



TifE END OF BOOK II, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK III. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Satan, in a speech of much flattering commendation, endeavours to 
awaken in Jesus a passion for glory, by particularising various in- 
stances of conquests achieved, and great actions performed, by 
persons at an early period of life. Our Lord replies, by showing 
the vanity of worldly fame, and the improper means by which it is 
generally attained) and contrasts with it the true glory of religious 
patience and virtuous wisdom, as exemplified in the character of 
Job. Satan justifies the love of glory from the example of God 
himself, who requires it from all his creatures. Jesus detects the 
fallacy of this argument, by showing that, as goodness is the true 
ground on which glory is due to the great Creator of all things, 
sinful Man can have no right whatever to it. — Satan then urges 
our Lord respecting his claim to the throne of David ; he tells him 
that the kingdom of Judea, being at that time a province of Rome, 
cannot be got possession of without much personal exertion on his 
part, and presses him to lose no time in beginning to reign. Jesus 
refers him to the time allotted for this as for all other things ; and, 
after intimating somewhat respecting his own previous sufferings, 
asks Satan, why he should be so solicitous for the exaltation of 
one, whose rising was destined to be his fall ? Satan replies, that 
his own desperate state, by excluding all hope, leaves little room 
for fear ; and that, as his own punishment was equally doomed, 
he is not interested in preventing the reign of one, from whose ap- 
parent benevolence he might rather hope for some interference 
in his favour. — Satan still pursues his former incitements ; and, 
supposing that the seeming reluctance of Jesus to be thus advanced 
might arise from his being unacquainted with the world and its 
glories, conveys him to the summit of a high mountain, and 
thence shows him most of the kingdoms of Asia, particularly 
pointing out to his notice some extraordinary military preparations 
of the Parthians to resist the incursions of the Scythians. He 
then informs our Lord, that he showed him this purposely that 
he might see how necessary military exertions are to retain the 
possession of kingdoms, as well as to subdue them at first, and 
advises him to consider how impossible it was to maintain Judea 
against two such powerful neighbours as the Romans and Par- 
thians, and how necessary it would be to form an alliance with 
one or other of them. At the same time he recommends, and 
engages to secure to him, that of the Parthians; and tells him 
that by this means his power will be defended from any thing that 
Rome or Caesar might attempt against it, and that he will be able 
to extend his glory wide, and especially to accomplish, what was 
particularly necessary to make the throne of Judea really the 
throne of David, the deliverance and restoration of the ten tribes, 
still in a state of captivity. Jesus, having briefly noticed the 
vanity and the weakness of the arm of flesh, says, that when the 
time comes for ascending his allotted throne he shall not be slack : 
be remarks on Satan's extraordinary zeal for the deliverance of the 
Israelites, to whom he had always showed himself an enemy, and 
declares their servitude to be the consequence of their idolatry; 
but adds, that at a future time it may perhaps please God to recal 
them, and restore them to their liberty and native land. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK III. 



So spake the son of God; and Satan stood 
Awhile as mute, confounded what to say, 
What to reply, confuted, and convinced 
Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift ; 
At length, collecting all his serpent wiles, 5 

With soothing words renew'd, him thus accosts : 

" I see thou know'st what is of use to know, 
What best to say canst say, to do canst do : 
Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words 
To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart If) 

Contains of good, wise, just, the perfect shape. 
Should kings & nations from thy mouth consult, 
Thy counsel would be as the oracle 
Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems 
On Aaron's breast; or tongue of seers old, 15 

Infallible: or wert thou sought to deeds 
That might require the array of war, thy skill 
Of conduct would be such, that all the world 
Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist 
In battle, though against thy few in arms. 9<) 

These godlike virtues wherefore dost thou hide, 
Affecting private life, or more obscure, 
In savage wilderness ? Wherefore deprive 
All Earth her wonder at thy acts, thyself 
The fame and glory, glory the reward 25 

That sole excites to high attempts, the flame 
Of most erected spirits, most temper'd, pure, 
Ethereal, who all pleasures else despise, 
All treasures, and all gain, esteem as dross, 
And dignities and powers, all but the highest ? 30 

Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe ; the son 
Of Macedonian Philip had, ere these, 
Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held 
At his dispose ; young Scipio had Drought down 
The Carthaginian pride ; young Pompey quell'd 95 

The Pontic king, and in triumph had rode. 
Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature, 



308 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment 

Great Julius, whom now all the world admires, 

The more he grew in years, the more inflamed 40 

With glory, wept that he had lived so long 

Inglorious : but thou yet art not too late." 

To whom our Saviour calmly thus replied. 
" Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth 
For empire's sake, nor empire to affect 45 

For glory's sake, by all thy argument. 

\ For what is glory but the blaze of fame, 
The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd ? 
And what the people but a herd confus'd, 
A miscellaneous rabble who extol 50 

Things vulgar, and, well weigh'd scarce worth tlr praise ? 
They praise, and they admire, they know not what, 
And know not whom, but as one leads the other ; 
And what delight to be by such extoll'd, 
To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, 55 

Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise f 
His lot who dares be singularly good.) 
The intelligent among them and the wise 
Are few, and glory scarce of few is raised. 

J This is true glory and renown, when God ®® 

Looking on the earth with approbation marks 
The just man, and divulges him through Heaven 
To all his Angels, who with true applause 
Recount his praises :)thus he did to Job, 
When, to extend his fame thro' Heaven and Earth 65 

As thou to thy reproach may'st well remember, 
He ask'd thee,'Hast thou seen my servant Job V 
Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known ; 
Where glory is false glory, attributed 
To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. 70 

They err, who count it glorious to subdue 
By conquest far and wide, to overrun 
Large countries, and in field great battles win, 
Great cities by assault : what do these worthies, 
But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave 75 

Peaceable nations, neighbouring, or remote, 
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more 
Than those their conquerors, who leave behind 
Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove, 
And all the flourishing works of peace destroy ; 80 

Then swell with pride, and must be titled Gods, 
Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers, 
Worshipped with temple, priest, and sacrifice ? 
One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other ; 



PARADISli REGAINED. 



309 



Till conqueror Death discover them scarce men, 85 

Rolling in brutish vices, and deform'd, » 
Violent or shameful death their due reward.) 
But if there be in glory aught of good, 
It may by means far different be attain'd, 
Without ambition, war, or violence; 90 

By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, 
By patience, temperance: I mention still 
Him , whom thy wrongs, with saintly patience borne, 
Made famous in a land and times obscure ; 
Who names not now with honour patient Job? 95 

( Poor Socrates, who next more memorable? 
By what he taught, and suffer'd for so doing, 
For truth's sake suffering death, unjust, lives now 
Equal in fame to proudest conquerors.} 
Yet if for fame and glory aught be done, 100 

Aught suffer'd ; if young African for fame 
His wasted country freed from Punic rage; 
The deed becomes unprais'd, the man at least, 
And loses, though but verbal, his reward. 
Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek, 105 

Oft not deserv'd ? I seek not mine, but His 
Who sent me ; & thereby witness whence I am." 

To whom the Tempter murmuring thus replied. 
" Think not so slight of glory ; therein least 
Resembling thy great Father : he seeks glory, 1 10 

And for his glory all things made, all things 
Orders and governs ; nor content in Heaven 
B} all his Angels glorified, requires 
Glory from men, from all men, good or bad, 
Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption ; 115 

Ab@ve all sacrifice, or hallow'd gift, 
Glory he requires, and glory he receives, 
Promiscuous from all nations, Jew or Greek, 
Or barbarous, nor exception hath declar'd; 
From us, his foes pronounc'd, glory he exacts." 120 

To whom our Saviour fervently replied. 
" And reason ; since his word all things produc'd, 
Though chiefly not for glory as prime end, 
But to show forth his goodness, and impart 
His good communicable to every soul 125 

Freely ; of whom what could he less expect 
Than glory and benediction, that is, thanks, 
The slightest, easiest, readiest recompense 
From them who could return him nothing else, 
And, not returning that, would likeliest render 1 30 

Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy? 



310 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Hard recompense, unsuitable return 

For so much good, so much beneficence ! 

But why should Man seek glory, who of his own 

Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs 135 

But condemnation, ignominy, and shame ? 

Who, for so many benefits receiv'd, 

Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false, 

And so of all true good himself despoil'd ; 

Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take 140 

That which to God alone of right belongs : 

Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace, 

That who advance his glory, not their own, 

Them he himself to glory will advance " 

So spake the Son of God; & here again 145 

Satan had not to answer, but stood struck 

With guilt of his own sin ; for he himself, 

Insatiable of glory, had lost all : 

Yet of another plea bethought him soon. 

" Of glory, as thou wilt, said he, so deem ; 1 50 

Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass. 
But to a kingdom thou art born, ordain'd 
To sit upon thy father David's throne, 
By mother's side thy father ; though thy right 
Be now in powerful hands, that will not part 155 

Easily from possession won with arms : 
Judea now and all the Promis'd Land, 
Reduc'd a province under Roman yoke, 
Obeys Tiberius ; nor is always rul'd 
With temperate sway ; oft have they violated l GO 

The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts, 
Abominations rather, as did once 
Antiochus : and think 'st thou to regain 
Thy right, by sitting still, or thus retiring? 
So did not Maccabeus : he indeed 1 65 

Retir'd into the desert, but with arms : 
And o'er a mighty king so oft prevail'd, 
That by strong hand his family obtain'd, 
Tho' priests, the crown, & David's throne usurp'd, 
With Modin & her suburbs once content. 170 

If kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal 
And duty ; zeal and duty are not slow, 
But on occasion's forelock watchful wait : 
They themselves rather are occasion best : 
Zeal of thy father's house, duty to free 1 75 

Thy country from her heathen servitude. 
So shalt thou best fulfil, best verify 
The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign ; 



PARADISE RFGAINFD. 311 

The happier reign, the sooner it begins : 

Reign then ; what can'st thou better do the while ?" 1 8C 

To whom our Saviour answer thus return'd. 

All things are best fulfiU'd in their due time ; 
And time there is for all things. Truth hath said 
If of my reign prophetic Writ hath told, 
That it shall never end, so, when begin, 185 

The Father in his purpose hath decreed ; 
He, in whose hand all times and seasons roll. 
What if he hath decreed that I shall first 
Be tried in humble state, & things adverse, 
By tribulations, injuries, insults, 190 

Contempts, & scorns, & snares, & violence, 
Suffering, abstaining, quietly expecting, 
Without distrust or doubt, that he may know 
What I can suffer, how obey ? Who best 
Can suffer, best can do ; best reign, who first 195 

Well hath obey'd; just trial, ere I merit 
My exaltation without change or end. 
But what concerns it thee, when I begin 
My everlasting kingdom? Why art thou 
Solicitous? What moves thy inquisition? 200 

Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall, 
And my promotion will be thy destruction ?" 

To whom the Tempter, inly rack'd, replied. 
" Let that come when it comes ; all hope is lost 
Of my reception into grace : what worse ? 205 

For where no hope is left, is left no fear : 
If there be worse, the expectation more 
Of worse torments me than the feeling can. 
I would be at the worst : worst is my port, 
My harbour, and my ultimate repose; 210 

The end I would attain, my final good. 
My error was my error, and my crime 
My crime ; whatever, for itself condemn'd ; 
And will alike be punish'd, whether thou 
Reign, or reign not ; though to that gentle brow 215 

Willingly could I fly, and hope thy reign, 
From that placid aspect and meek regard, 
Rather than aggravate my evil state, 
Would stand between me & thy Father's ire, 
Whose ire I dread more than the fire of Hell, 220 

A shelter and a kind of shading cool 
Interposition, as a summer's cloud. 
If I then to the worst that can be haste, 
Why move thy feet so slow to what is best, 
Happiest, both to thyself and all the world, 225 



312 PARADISE REGAINED. 

That thou, who worthiest art, should 'st be their king ? 

Perhaps thou linger'st, in deep thoughts detain'd 

Of the enterprise so hazardous and high ; 

No wonder ; for, though in thee be united 

What of perfection can in man be found, 230 

Or human nature can receive, consider, 

Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent 

At home, scarce view'd the Galilean towns, 

And, once a-year, Jerusalem ; few days' 

Short sojourn ; & what thence could'st thou observe ? 235 

The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory, 

Empires, & monarchs, & their radiant courts 

Best school of best experience, quickest insight 

In all things that to greatest actions lead. 

The wisest, unexperienc'd, will be ever 240 

Timorous and loath, with novice modesty, 

As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom, 

Irresolute, unhardy, unadventurous : 

But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit 

Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes 245 

The monarchies of the earth, their pomp & state ; 

Sufficient introduction to inform 

Thee, of thyself so apt, in regal arts 

And regal mysteries ; that thou may'st know 

How best their opposition to withstand." 250 

With that, such power was given him then, he took 
The Son of God up to a mountain high. 
It was a mountain at whose verdant feet 
A spacious plain, outstretch'd in circuit wide, 
Lay pleasant ; from his side two rivers flow'd, 255 

Th' one winding, th' other straight, and left between 
Fair champain with less rivers interven'd, 
Then meeting join'd their tribute to the sea ; 
Fertile of corn the glebe, of oil, and wine ; 
With herds the pastures throng'd , with flocks the hills ; 2 60 
Huge cities and high-tower'd, that well might seem 
The seats of mightiest monarchs ; and so large 
The prospect was, that here and there was room 
For barren desert, fountainless and dry. 
To this high mountain top the Tempter brought 265 

Our Saviour, and new train of words began. 

" Well have we speeded, and o'er hill and dale, 
Forest and field and flood, temples and towers, 
Cut shorter many a league ; here thou behold'st, 
Assyria, and her empire's ancient bounds, 270 

A raxes and the Caspian lake; thence on 
As far as Indus east, Euphrates west, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



313 



And oft beyond : to south the Persian bay, 

And, inaccessible, the Arabian drouth : 

Here Nineveh, of length within her wall 275 

Several days' journey, built by Ninus old, 

Of that first golden monarchy the seat, 

And seat of Salmanassar, whose success 

Israel in long captivity still mourns; 

There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues, 280 

As ancient, but rebuilt by him who twice 

Judah and all thy father David's house 

Led captive, and Jerusalem laid waste, 

Till Cyrus set them free ; Persepolis, 

His city, there thou seest, and Bactria there ; 285 

Ecbatana her structure vast there shows, 

And Hecatompylos her hundred gates ; 

There Susa by Choaspes, amber stream, 

The drink of none but kings ; of later fame, 

Built by Emathian or by Parthian hands, 290 

The great Seleucia, Nisibis, and there 

Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphon, 

Turning, with easy eye, thou may'st behold. 

All these the Parthian, now some ages past, 

By great Arsaces led, who founded first 295 

That empire, under his dominion holds, 

From the luxurious kings of Antioch won. 

And just in time thou com'st to have a view 

Of his great power ; for now the Parthian king 

In Ctesiphon hath gather'd all his host 300 

Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild 

Have wasted Sogdiana ; to her aid 

He marches now in haste ; see, though from far, 

His thousands, in what martial equipage 

They issue forth, steel bows & shafts their arms, 305 

Of equal dread in flight, or in pursuit ; 

All horsemen, in which fight they most excel ; 

See how in warlike muster they appear, 

In rhombs, and wedges, and half-moons, and wings." 

He look'd , and saw what numbers numberless 310 

The city gates outpour'd, light-armed troops 
In coats of mail and military pride ; 
In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong, 
Prancing their riders bore, the flower and choice 
Of many provinces from bound to bound; 315 

From Arachosia, from Candaor east, 
And Margiana to the Hyrcanian cliffs 
Of Caucasus, and dark Iberian dales ; 
From Atropatio and the neighbouring plains 



314 PA1MMSE RV. (GAINED. 

Of Adiabene, Media, and the south 320 

Of Susiana, to Balsam's haven. 

He saw them itt their forms of battle rang'd, 

How quick they wheel'd, & flying behind them shot 

Sharp sleet of arrowy showers against the face 

Of their pursuers, and overcame by flight ; 325 

The field all iron cast a gleaming brown; 

Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn 

Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight, 

Chariots, or elephants endors'd with towers 

Of archers ; nor of labouring pioneers 330 

A multitude, with spades and axes arm'd 

To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill 

Or where plain was raise hill, or overlay 

With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke , 

Mules after these, camels and dromedaries, 335 

And waggons, fraught with utensils of war. 

Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp, 

When Agrican with all his northern powers 

Beseig'd Albracca, as romances tell, 

The city of Gallaphrone, from whence to win 340 

The fairest of her sex Angelica, 

His daughter, sought by many prowest nights, 

Both Paynim, and the peers of Charlemain. 

Such and so numerous was their chivalry : 

At sight whereof the fiend yet more presum'd, 345 

And to our Saviour thus his words renewed. 

" That thou mayst know I seek not to engage 
Thy virtue, and not every way secure 
On no slight grounds thy safety ; hear and mark 
To what end I have brought thee hither, & shown 350 

All this fair sight : thy kingdom, though foretold 
By Prophet or by Angel, unless thou 
Endeavour, as thy father David did, 
Thou never shalt obtain ; prediction still 
In all things, and all men, supposes means ; 355 

Without means us'd, what it predicts revokes. 
But, say thou wert possess 'd of David's throne, 
By free consent of all, none opposite, 
Samaritan or Jew ; how couldst thou hope 
Long to enjoy it, quiet and secure, 360 

Between two such enclosing enemies^ 
Roman and Parthian ? Therefore one of these 
Thou must make sure thy own ; the Parthian first 
By my advice, as nearer, and of late 
Found able by invasion to annoy 365 

Thy country and captive hod away her kings, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 315 

Antigonus and old Hyrcanus, bound, 

Maugre the Roman : it shall be my task 

To render thee the Parthian at dispose, 

Choose which thou wilt, by conquest or by league : 370 

By him thou shalt regain, without him not, 

That which alone can truly re-install thee 

In David's royal seat, his true successor, 

Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten tribes, 

Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 375 

In Habor, & among the Medes dispers'd : 

Ten sons of Jacob, two of Joseph, lost 

Thus long from Israel, serving, as of old 

Their fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd, 

This offer sets before thee to deliver. 380 

These if from servitude thou shalt restore 

To their inheritance, then, nor till then, 

Thou on the throne of David in full glory, 

From Egypt to Euphrates, and beyond, 

Shalt reign, & Rome or Csesar not need fear." 385 

To whom our Saviour answer'd thus, unmov'd. 
" Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm 
And fragile arms, much instrument of war, 
Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought, 
Before mine eyes thou hast set ; & in my ear 390 

Vented much policy, and projects deep 
Of enemies, of aids, battles and leagues, 
Plausible to the world, to me worth nought. 
Means I must use, thou say'st, prediction else 
Will unpredict, and fail me of the throne : 395 

My time, I told thee, and that time for thee 
Were better farthest off, is not yet come : 
When that comes, think not thou to find me slack 
On my part aught endeavouring, or to need 
Thy politic maxims, or that cumbersome 400 

Luggage of war there shown me, argument 
Of human weakness rather than of strength. 
My brethren, as thou call'st them, those ten tribes 
I must deliver, if I mean to reign 
David's true heir, and his full sceptre sway 405 

To just extent over all Israel's sons. 
But whence to thee this zeal ? Where was it then 
For Israel, or for David, or his throne, 
When thou stood'st up his tempter to the pride 
Of numbering Israel, which cost the lives 410 

Of threescore and ten thousand Israelites 
By three days' pestilence ? Such was thy zeal 
To Israel then: the same that now to me! 



316 PARADISE REGAINED. 

As for those captive tribes, themselves were they 

Who wrought their own captivity, fell off 420 

From God to worship calves, the deities 

Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth, 

And all the idolatries of Heathen round, 

Besides their other worse than heath'nish crimes ; 

Nor in the land of their captivity 425 

Hum-bled themselves, or penitent besought 

The God of their forefathers ; but so died 

Impenitent, and left a race behind 

Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce 

From Gentiles, but by circumcision vain ; 430 

And God with idols in their worship join'd. 

Should I of these the liberty regard, 

Who, freed, as to their ancient patrimony, 

Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreform'd, 

Headlong would follow ; & to their Gods, perhaps, 43f 

Of Bethel & of Dan ? No ; let them serve 

Their enemies, who serve idols with God. 

Yet he at length, time to himself best known ; 

Remembering Abraham, by some wondrous call 

May bring them back, repentant and sincere, 4k 

And at their passing cleave the Assyrian flood, 

While to their native land with joy they haste ; 

As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft, 

When to the Promis'd Land their fathers pass'd : 

To his due time & providence I leave them." 445 

So spake Israel's true King, & to the Fiend 
Made answer meet, that made void all his wiles. 
So fares it, when with truth falsehood contends. 



TUB END OF BOOK III. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK IV. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Satan, persisting in the temptation of our Lord, shows him imperial 
Rome in its greatest pomp and splendour, as a power which he pro- 
bably would prefer before that of the Parthians ; and tells him that 
he might with the greatest ease expel Tiberius, restore the Romans 
to their liberty, and make himself master not only of the Roman 
Empire, but by so doing, of the whole world, and inclusively of the 
throne of David. Our Lord, in reply, expresses his comempt of 
grandeur and worldly power, notices the luxury, vanity, and profli- 
gacy of the Romans, declaring how little they merited to be restored 
to that liberty which they had lost by their misconduct, and briefly 
refers to the greatness of his own future kingdom. Satan, now 
desperate, to enhance the value of his proffered gifts, professes that 
the only terms, on which he will bestow them, are our Saviour's 
falling down and worshipping him. Our Lord expresses a irm 
but temperate indignation at such a proposition, and rebuke.. *he 
Tempter by the title of " Satan for ever damned." Satan, abashed, 
attempts to justify himself: he then assumes a new ground of 
temptation, and, proposing to Jesus the intellectual gratifications 
of wisdom and knowledge, points out to him the celebrated seat of 
ancient learning, Athens, its schools, and other various resorts of 
learned teachers and their disciples ; accompanying the view with a 
highly-finished panegyric on the Grecian musicians, poets, orators, 
and philosophers of the different sects. Jesus replies, by showing 
the vanity and insufficiency of the boasted Heathen philosophy ; 
and prefers to the music, poetry, eloquence, and didactic policy of 
the Greeks, those of the inspired Hebrew writers. Satan, irritated 
at the failure of all his attempts, upbraids the indiscretion of our 
Saviour in rejecting his offers ; and having, in ridicule of his ex- 
pected kingdom, foretold the sufferings that our Lord was to under- 
go, carries him back into the wilderness, and leaves him there. 
Night comes on : Satan raises a tremendous storm, and attempts 
further to alarm Jesus with frightful dreams, and terrific threaten- 
ing spectres; which however have no effect upon him. A calm, 
bright, beautiful morning succeeds to the horrors of the night. 
Satan again presents himself to our blessed Lord, and, from noticing 
the storm of the preceding night as pointed chiefly at him, takes 
occasion once more to insult him with an account of the sufferings 
which he was certainly to undergo. This only draws from our 
Lord a brief rebuke. Satan, now at the height of his desperation, 
confesses that he had frequently watched Jesus from his birth, pur- 
posely to discover if he was the true Messiah; and, collecting from 
what passed at the river Jordan that he most probably was so, he 
had from that time more assiduously followed him, in hopes of 
gaining some advantage over him, which would most effectually 
prove that he was not really that Divine Person destined to be his 
"fatal enemy." In this he acknowledges that he has hitherto 
completely failed; but still determines to make one more trial of 
him. Accordingly he conveys him to the Temple at Jerusalem, 
and, placing him on a pointed eminence, requires him to prove his 
Divinity either by standing there, or casting himself down with 
safety. Our Lord reproves the Tempter, and at the same time 
manifests his own Divinity by standing on this dangerous point. 
Satan, amazed and terrified, instantly falls j and repairs to his 
Infernal Compeers, to relate the bad success of his enterprise. 
Angels in the mean time convey our blessed Lord to a beautiful 
valley, and, while they minister to him a repast of celestial food, 
celebrute his victory in a triumphant hymn. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

BOOK iY\ 



Perplex'd and troubled at his bad success 
The Tempter stood, nor had what to reply, 
Discover' d in his fraud, thrown from his hope 
So oft, and the persuasive rhetoric 
That sleek'd his tongue, & won so much on Eve, 5 

So little here, nay lost ; but Eve was Eve ; 
This far his over-match, who, self-deceiv'd 
And rash, before-hand had no better weigh'd 
The strength he was to cope with, or his own : 
But as a man, who had been matchless held 10 

In cunning, over-reach'd where least he thought, 
To salve his credit, and for very spite, 
Still will be tempting him who foils him still, 
And never cease, though to his shame the more ; 
Or as a swarm of flies in vintage time, 15 

About the wine-press where sweet must is poir'd, 
Beat off, returns as oft with humming sound 
Or surging waves against a solid rock, 
Though all to shivers dash'd, the assault renew, 
Vain battery ! and in froth or bubbles end ; 20 

So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse 
Met ever, and to shameful silence brought, 
Yet gives not o'er, though desperate of success, 
And his vain importunity pursues. 

He brought our Saviour to the western side 25 

Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 
Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, 
Wash'd by the southern sea, and, on the north, 
To equal length back'd with a ridge of hills 
That screen'd the fruits of the earth, & seats of men, 35 

From cold Septentrion blasts ; thence in the midst 
Divided by a river, of whose banks 
On each side an imperial city stood, 
With towers and temples proudly elevate 
On seven small hills, with palaces adorn'd, 35 

Porches, and theatres, baths, aqueducts, 
Statues, and trophies, and triumphal arcs 



320 PARADISE REGAINED 

Gardens, & groves, presented to his eyes, 

Above the highth of mountains interpos'd : 

By what strange parallax, or optic skill 40 

Of vision, multiplied through air, or glass 

Of telescope, were curious to inquire : 

And now the Tempter thus his silence broke. 

" The city, which thou seest, no other deem 
Than great & glorious Rome, queen of the earth. 45 

So far renown'd, & with the spoils enrich'd 
Of nations ; there the Capitol thou seest, 
Above the rest lifting his stately head 
On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel 

Impregnable; and there mount Palatine, 50 

The imperial palace, compass huge, & high 
The structure, skill of noblest architects, 
With gilded battlements conspicuous far, 
Turrets, and terraces, and glittering spires : 
Many a fair edifice besides, more like 55 

Houses of Gods, so well I have dispos'd 
My aery microscope, thou may'st behold, 
Outside and inside both, pillars and roofs, 
Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd artificers, 
In cedar, marble, ivory, or gold. 60 

Thence to the gates cast round thine eye, & see 
What conflux issuing forth, or entering in ; 
Praetors, pro-consuls to their provinces 
Hasting, or on return, in robes of state, 
Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, 65 

Legions & cohorts, turms of horse & wings : 
Or embassies from regions far remote, 
In various habits, on the Appian road, 
Or on the Emilian ; some from farthest south, 
Syene, and where the shadow both way falls, 70 

Meroe, Nilotic isle ; and, more to west, 
The realm of Bocchus to the Black-moor sea ; 
From the Asian kings, & Parthian among these . 
From India and the golden Chersonese, 
And utmost Indian isle Taprobane, 75 

Dusk faces with white silken turbans wreath'd ; 
From Gallia, Gades, and the British west : 
Germans, & Scythians, & Sarmatians, north 
Beyond Danubius to the Tauric pool. 
All nations now to Rome obedience pay : 80 

To Rome's great emperor, whose wide domain, 
In ample territory, wealth and power, 
Civility of manners, arts and arms, 
And long renown, thou justly may'st prefer 



PARADISE REGAINED. 321 

Befoie the Parthian. These two thrones except, 85 

The rest are barbarous, & scarce worth the sight, 

Shar'd among petty kings too far remov'd ; 

These having shown thee, I have shown thee all 

The kingdoms of the world, and all their glory. 

This emperor hath no son, and now is old, 90 

Old and lascivious, and from Rome retir'd 

To Caprae, an island small, but strong, 

On the Campanian shore, with purpose there 

His horrid lusts in private to enjoy : 

Committing to a wicked favourite 95 

All public cares, and yet of him suspicious : 

Hated of all, and hating. With what ease 

Endued with regal virtues, as thou art, 

Appearing, and beginning noble deeds, 

Might'st thou expel this monster from his throne, 100 

Now made a sty, and in his place ascending, 

A victor people free from servile yoke ! 

And with my help thou may'st ; to me the power 

Is given, and by that right I give it thee. 

Aim therefore at no less than all the world; 105 

Aim at the highest : without the highest attain'd, 

Will be for thee no sitting, or not long 

On David's throne, be prophesied what will." 

To whom the Son of God, unmov'd, replied. 
" Nor doth this grandeur and majestic show 110 

Of luxury, though call'd magnificence, 
More than of arms before, allure mine eye, 
Much less my mind ; though thou should'st add to tell 
Their sumptuous gluttonies, & gorgeous feasts 
On citron tables or Atlantic stone, 115 

For I have also heard, perhaps have read, 
Their wines of Setia, Cales, and Falerne, 
Chios & Crete, and how they quaff in gold, 
Crystal, & myrrhine cups, emboss'd with gems 
And studs of pearl ; to me should'st tell, who thirst 1 20 

And hunger still. Then embassies thou show'st 
From nations far and nigh : what honour that, 
But tedious waste of time, to sit and hear 
So mar.y hollow compliments and lies, 
Outlandish flatteries ? Then proceed'st to talk 125 

Of the emperor, how easily subdued, 
How gloriously : I shall, thou say'st, expel 
A brutish monster; what if 1 withal 
Expel a Devil who first made him such ? 
Let his tormentor conscience find him out; ISO 

For him I was not sent : nor yet to free 



322 PARADISE REGAINED. 

That people, victor once, now vile and base ; 

Deservedly made vassal; who, once just, 

Frugal & mild, & temperate, conquer'd well, 

But govern ill the nations under yoke, 135 

Peeling their provinces, exhausted all 

By lust and rapine ; : ( first ambitious grown 

Or' triumph, that insulting vanity : ) 

Then cruel, by their sports to blood inur'd 

Of fighting beasts, & men to beasts expos'd; ]40 

Luxurious by their wealth, & greedier still, 

And from the daily scene effeminate. 

What wise & valiant man would seek to free 

These, thus degenerate, by themselves enslav'd ? 

Or could of inward slaves make outward free ? 145 

Know therefore, when my season comes to sit 

On David's throne, it shall be like a tree 

Spreading and overshadowing all the earth ; 

Or as a stone, that shall to pieces dash 

All monarchies besides throughout the world ; 150 

And of my kingdom there shall be no end : 

Means there shall be to this ; but what the means, 

Is not for thee to know, nor me to tell." 

To whom the Tempter, impudent, replied. 
" I see all offers made by me how slight i55 

Thou valuest, because offer'd, and reject'st : 
Nothing will please the difficult and nice, 
Or nothing more than still to contradict : 
On the other side know also thou, that I 
On what I offer set as high esteem, 160 

Nor what I part with mean to give for nought ; 
All these, which in a moment thou behold'st, 
The kingdoms of the world, to thee I give, 
For, given to me, I give to whom I please, 
No trifle ; yet with this reserve, not else, 1 65 

On this condition, if thou wilt fall down, 
And worship me as thy superior lord, 
Easily done, and hold them all of me ; 
For what can less so great a gift deserve V 

Whom thus our Saviour answer'd with disdain. 170 

"I never lik'd thy talk, thy offers less; 
Now both abhor, since thou hast dar'd to utter 
The abominable terms, impious condition : 
But I endure the time, till which expir'd 
Thou hast permission on me. It is written, 175 

The first of all commandments, ' Thou shalt worship 
The Lord thy God, and only him shalt serve ;' 
And dar'st thou to the, Son of God propound 



PARADISE REGAINED. 323 

To worship thee accurs'd ? now more accurs'd 

For this attempt, bolder than that on Eve, 180 

And more blasphemous ; which expect to rue. 

The kingdoms of the world to thee were given ? 

Permitted rather, and by thee usurp'd ; 

Other donation none thou canst produce. 

If given, by whom but by the King of kings, [So 

God over all supreme ? If given to thee, 

By thee how fairly is the Giver now 

Repaid ! But gratitude in thee is lost 

Long since. Wert thou so void of fear or shame, 

As offer them to me, the Son of God? 190 

To me my own, on such abhorred pact, 

That I fall down and worship thee as God ? 

Get thee behind me ; plain thou now appear'st 

That Evil one, Satan for ever damn'd." 

To whom the Fiend, with fear abash'd, replied. 195 

" Be not so sore offended, Son of God, 
Though Sons of God both Angels are & Men, 
If I, to try whether in higher sort 
Than these thou bear'st that title, have propos'd 
What both from Men and Angels I receive, 200 

Tetrarchs of fire, air, flood, and on the earth, 
Nations beside from all the quarter'd winds. 
' God of this world invok'd, and world beneath : 
Who then thou art, whose coming is foretold 
To me most fatal, me it most concerns ; 205 

The trial hath indamag'd thee no way, 
Rather more honour left and more esteem ; 
Me nought advantag'd, missing what I aim'd. 
Therefore let pass, as they are transitory, 
The kingdoms of this world ; I nhall no more 210 

Advise thee ; gain them as thou canst, or not. 
And thou thyself seem'st otherwise inclin'd 
Than to a worldly crown ; addicted more 
To contemplation and profound dispute, 
As by that early action may be judg'd, 215 

When, slipping from thy mother's eye, thou went'st 
Alone into the temple, there wast found 
Among the gravest Rabbies, disputant 
On points and questions fitting Moses' chair, 
Teaching, not taught. The childhood shows the man, 220 
As morning shows the day : be famous then 
By wisdom ; as thy empire must extend, 
So let extend thy mind o'er all the world 
In knowledge, all things in it comprehend. 
All knowledge is not couch'd in Moses' law, 285 

y3 



324 PARADISE REGAINED. 

The Pentateuch, or what the Prophets wrote ; 

The Gentiles also know, and write, and teach 

To admiration, led by Nature's light, 

And with the Gentiles much thou must converse, 

Ruling them by persuasion, as thou mean'st ; 230 

Without their learning, how wilt thou with them, 

Or they with thee, hold conversation meet ? 

How wilt thou reason with them, how refute 

Their idolisms, traditions, paradoxes ? 

Error by his own arms is best evinc'd. 235 

Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount, 

Westward, much nearer by southwest, behold ; 

Where on the iEgean shore a city stands, 

Built nobly, pure the air, and light the soil ; 

( Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts 240 

And eloquence, native to famous wits 
Or hospitable, in her sweet recess, 
City or suburban, studious walks and shades.^ 
See there the olive grove of Academe, 
Plato's retirement, where the Attic bird 245 

Trills her thick-warbled notes the summer long ; 
There flowery hill Hymettus, with the sound 
Of bees' industrious murmur, oft invites 
To studious musing ; there Ilissus rolls 
His whispering stream : within the walls, then view 250' 

The schools of ancient sages ; his, who bred 
Great Alexander to subdue the world, 
Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next : 
There shalt thou hear & learn the secret power 
Of harmony, in tones and numbers hit 255 

By voice or hand ; and various-measur'd verse, 
iEolian charms and Dorian lyric odes, 
And his, who gave them breath, but higher sung 
Blind Melesigenes, thence Homer call'd, 
Whose poem Phoebus challeng'd for his own ; 260 

Thence what the lofty grave tragedians taught 
In Chorus or Iambic, teachers best 
Of moral prudence, with delight receiv'd 
In brief sententious precepts, while they treat 
Of fate, and chance, and change in human life, 265 

High actions and high passions best describing : 
Thence to the famous orators repair, 
Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence 
Wielded at will that fierce democraty, 
Shook th' arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece 270 

To Macedon and Artaxerxes' throne: 

\To sage Philosophy next lend thine ear, 



TARADISE REGAINED. 325 

From Heaven descended to the low-roof d house 

Of Socrates ; see there his tenement, 

Whom well inspir'd the oracle pronounc'd 275 

Wisest of men ; from whose mouth issued forth 

Mellifluous streams, that water'd all the schools 

Of Academics old and new,; with those 

Surnam'd Peripatetics, and the sect 

Epicurean, and the Stoic severe; 280 

These here revolve, or, as thou lik'st, at home, 

Till time mature thee to a kingdom's weight ; 

These rules will render thee a king complete 

Within thyself, much more with empire join'd." 

To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied. 285 

" Think not but that I know these things, or think 
I know them not ; not therefore am I short 
Of knowing what I ought : he, who receives 
Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
No other doctrine needs, though granted true ; 290 

But these are false, or little else but dreams, 
.Conjectures, fancies, built on nothing firm. 
I The first and wisest of them all profess'd 
To know this only, that he nothing knew ; ) 
The next to fabling fell, and smooth conceits ; 295 

A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense; 
Others in virtue plac'd felicity, 
But virtue join'd with riches and long life ; 
In corporal pleasure he, and careless ease ; 
The Stoic last in philosophic pride, - 300 

By him call'd virtue ; and his virtuous man, 
Wise, perfect in himself, and all-possessing 
Equal to God, oft shames not to prefer, 
As fearing God nor man, contemning all 
Wealth, pleasure, pain, or torment, death and life, 395 

Which, when he lists, he leaves, or boasts he can, 
For all his tedious talk is but vain boast, 
Or subtle shifts conviction to evade. 
Alas ! what can they teach, and not mislead, 
Ignorant of themselves, of God much more, 310 

And how the world began, and how man fell 
Degraded by himself, on grace depending? 
Much of the soul they talk, but all awry, 
And in themselves seek virtue & to themselves 
All glory arrogate, to God give none; 315 

Rather accuse him under usual names, 
Fortune and Fate, as one regardless quite 
Of mortal things. Who therefore seeks in these 
True wisdom, finds her not; or, by delusion, 



326 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Far worse, her false resemblance only meets 320 

An empty cloud. However, many books, 

Wise men have said, are wearisome; (who reads 

Incessantly, and to his reading brings not 

A spirit and judgment equal or superior, 

And what he brings what needs he elsewhere seek ? '325 

Uncertain and unsettled still remains, 

Deep vers'd in books, and shallow in himself, 

Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys 

And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge; 

As children gathering pebbles on the shore.") 330 

Or, if I would delight my private hours 

With music or with poem, where, so soon 

As in our native language, can I find 

That solace ? All our law and story strew'd 

With hymns, our pslams with artful terms inscribed, 335 

Our Hebrew songs and harps, in Babylon 

That pleas'd so well our victors' ear, declare 

That rather Greece from us these arts deriv'd ; 

111 imitated, while they loudest sing 

The vices of their deities, and their own, 340 

In fable, hymn, or song, so personating 

Their gods ridiculous, & themselves past shame. 

Remove their swelling epithets, thick laid 

As varnish on a harlot's cheek, the rest, 

Thin sown with aught of profit or delight, 345 

Will far be found unworthy to compare 

With Sion's songs, to all true tastes excelling, 

Where God is praised aright, and godlike men, 

The Holiest of Holies, and his saints, 

Such are from God inspir'd, not such from thee, 350 

Unless where moral virtue is express'd 

By light of nature, not in all quite lost. 

Their orators thou then extoll'st, as those 

The top of eloquence ; statists indeed, 

And lovers of their country, as may seem ; 355 

But herein to our prophets far beneath, 

As men divinely taught, and better teaching 

The solid rules of civil government, 

In their majestic unaffected style, 

Than all th' oratory of Greece and Rome. 360 

in them is plainest taught, and easiest learnt, 

What makes a nation happy, and keeps it so, 

What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat ; 

These only with our law best form a king." 

So spake the Son of God ; but Satan, now 365 

Quite at a loss, for all his darts were spent, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 32? 

Thus to our Saviour with stern brow replied. 

" Since neither wealth nor honour, arms, nor arts, 
Kingdom nor empire pleases thee, nor aught 
By me propos'd in life contemplative 370 

Or active, tended on by glory or fame, 
What dost thou in this world ? The wilderness 
For thee is fittest place ; I found thee there, 
And thither will return thee ; yet remember 
What I foretel thee, soon thou shalt have cause 375 

To wish thou never hadst rejected, thus 
Nicely or cautiously, my offer'd aid, 
Which would have set thee in short time with ease 
On David's throne, or throne of all the world, 
Now at full age, fulness of time, thy season, 380 

When prophecies of thee are best fulfiird 
Now contrary, if I read aught in Heaven, 
Or Heaven write aught of fate, by what the stars 
Voluminous, or single characters, 

In their conjunction met, give me to spell, 385 

Sorrows, and labours, opposition, hate 
Attend thee, scorns, reproaches, injuries, 
Violence and stripes, and lastly cruel death ; 
A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom 
Real or allegoric, I discern not; 390 

Nor when ; eternal sure, as without end, 
Without beginning ; for no date prefix'd 
Directs me in the starry rubric set." 

So saying he took, for still he knew his power 
Not yet expir'd, and to the wilderness 395 

Brought back trie Son of God, & left him there, 
Feigning to disappear. Darkness now rose, 
As day-light sunk, & brought in lowering night 
Her shadowy offspring ; unsubstantial both, 
Privation mere of light and absent day. 400 

Our Saviour meek, & with untroubled mind 
After his aery jaunt, though hurried sore, 
Hungry and cold, betook him to his rest, 
Wherever under some concourse of shades, 
Whose branching arms thick intertwin'd might shield 405 

From dews & damps of night his shelter' d head ; 
But, shelter'd, slept in vain : for at his head 
The Tempter watched, & soon with ugly dreams 
Disturb'd his sleep. And either tropic now 
'Gan thunder, & both ends of Heaven ; the clouds, 410 

From many a horrid rift, abortive pour'd 
Fierce rain with lightning mix'd, water with fire 
In ruin reconcil'd : nor slept the winds 



3^8 .PARADISE REGAINED. 

Within their stony caves, but rush'd abroad 
From the four hinges of the world, and fell 41 & 

On the vex'd wilderness, whose tallest pines, 
Though rooted deep as high, & sturdiest oaks, 
Bow'd their stiff necks, loaden with stormy blasts, 
Or torn up sheer. Ill wast thou shrouded then, 
O patient Son of God, yet only stood'st 420 

Unshaken ! nor yet staid the terror there : 
Infernal ghosts and hellish furies round 
Environ'd thee, some howl'd, some yell'd, some shriek'd, 
Some bent at thee their fiery darts, while thou 
Sat'st unappall'd in calm and sinless peace ! 425 

Thus passed the night so foul, till morning fair 
Came forth, with pilgrim steps, in amice grey ; 
Who with her radiant finger still'd the roar 
Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, & laid the winds, 
And grissly spectres, which the fiend had rais'd 430 

To tempt the Son of God with terrors dire. 
But now the sun with more effectual beams 
Had cheer'd the face of earth, & dried the wet 
From drooping plant, or dropping tree ; the birds, 
Who all things now beheld more fresh & green, 435 

After a night of storm so ruinous, 
Clear'd up their choicest notes in bush & spray, 
To gratulate the sweet return of morn. 
Nor yet, amidst this joy & brightest morn, 
Was absent, after all his mischief done, 440 

The Prince of Darkness ; glad would also seem 
Of this fair change, and to our Saviour came ; 
¥et with no new device (they all were spent), 
Rather by this his last affront resolv'd, 
Desperate of better course, to vent his rage 445 

And mad despite to be so oft repell'd. 
Him walking on a sunny hill he found, 
Back'd on the north & west by a thick wood ; 
)ut of the wood he starts in wonted shape, 
And in a careless mood thus to him said. 450 

" Fair morning yet betides thee, Son of God, 
After a dismal night : I heard the wrack, 
As earth and sky would mingle ; but myself 
Was distant; & these flaws, though mortals fear them 
As dangerous to the pillar'd frame of Heaven, 45# 

Or to the earth's dark basis underneath, 
Are to the main as inconsiderable 
And harmless, if not wholesome, as a sneeze 
To man's less universe, and soon are gone ; 
Vet, as being ofttimes noxious where they light 460 



PARADISE REGAINED. 829 

On man, beast, plant, wasteful and turbulent, 

Like turbulences in the affairs of men. 

Over whose heads they roar, and seem to point, 

They oft foresignify and threaten ill : 

This tempest at this desert most was bent ; 465 

Of men at thee, for only thou here dwell'st. 

Did I not tell thee, if thou didst reject 

The perfect season ofter'd with my aid 

To win thy destin'd seat, but wilt prolong 

All to the push of fate, pursue thy way 470 

Of gaining- David's throne, no man knows when, 

For both the when & how is no where told ? 

Thou shalt be what thou art ordain'd, no doubt ; 

For Angels have proclaim'd it, but concealing 

The time & means. Each act is rightliest done, 475 

Not when it must, but when it may be best : 

If thou observe not this, be sure to find, 

What I foretold thee, many a hard essay 

Of dangers, and adversities, and pains, 

Ere thou of Israel's sceptre get fast hold ; 480 

Whereof this ominous night, that clos'd thee round, 
So many terrors, voices, prodigies, 

M?y warn thee, as a sure foregoing sign." 

So talk'd he, while the Son of God went on 
And staid not, but in brief him answer'd thus-. 485 

" Me worse than wet thou find'st not ; other harm 
Those terrors, which thou speak'st of, did me none ; 
I never fear'd they could, though noising loud 
And threatening nigh : what they can do, as signs 
Betokening, or ill boding, I contemn 490 

As false portents, not sent from God, but thee ; 

Who, knowing I shall reign past thy preventing, 

Obtrud'st thy offer'd aid, that I, accepting, 

At least might seem to hold all power of thee, 

Ambitious spirit ! & wouldst be thought my God ; 495 

And storm'st refus'd, thinking to terrify 

Me to thy will ! desist, thou art discern 'd, 

And toil'st in vain, nor me in vain molest." 

To whom the fiend, now swoln with rage, replied : 
" Then hear, O Son of David, Virgin-born, 500 

For Son of God to me is yet in doubt ; 
Of the Messiah I had heard foretold 
By all the prophets ; of thy birth at length, 
Announc'd by Gabriel, with the first I knew, 
And of the angelic song in Bethlehem field, 505 

On thy birth-night that sung thee Saviour born. 
From that time seldom have I ceas'd to eye 



330 PARADISE REGAINED. 

Thy infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth, 

Thy manhood last, though yet in private bred ; 

Till at the ford of Jordan, whither all 510 

Flock to the Baptist, I, among the rest, 

Though not to be baptiz'd, by voice from Heaven 

Heard thee pronounc'd the Son of God belov'd. 

Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view 

And narrower scrutiny, that I might learn 515 

In what degree or meaning thou art call'd 

The Son of God ; which bears no single sense. 

The son of God I also am, or was; 

And if I was, I am ; relation stands ; 

All men are sons of God ; yet thee I thought 520 

In some respect far higher so declar'd : 

Therefore I watch'd thy footsteps from that hour, 

And follow'd thee still on to this waste wild ; 

Where, by all best conjectures, I collect 

Thou art to be my fatal enemy : 525 

Good reason then, if I beforehand seek 

To understand my adversary, who 

And what he is ; his wisdom, power, intent ; 

By pari or composition, truce or league, 

To win him, or win from him what I can : 530 

And opportunity I here have had 

To try thee, sift thee, & confess have found thee 

Proof against all temptation, as a rock 

Of adamant, and, as a centre, firm ; 

To the utmost of mere man both wise & good, 535 

Not more ; for honours, riches, kingdoms, glory, 

Have been before contemn'd, and may again. 

Therefore, to know what more thou art than man, 

Worth naming Son of God by voice from Heaven, 

Another method I must now begin." 540 

So saying he caught him up, &, without wing 
Of hippogrif, bore through the air sublime, 
Over the wilderness and o'er the plain, 
Till underneath them fair Jerusalem, 
The holy city, lifted high her towers, 545 

And higher yet the glorious temple rear'd 
Her pile, far off appearing like a mount 
Of alabaster, topt with golden spires : 
There, on the highest pinnacle, he set 
The Son of God ; and added thus in scorn. 550 

" There stand, if thou wilt stand ; to stand upright 
Will ask thee skill ; I to thy father's house 
Have brought thee, & highest plac'd : highest is best : 
Now show thy progeny ; if not to stand, 



PARADISE REGAINED. 331 

Cast thyself down ; safely, if Son of God : 555 

For it is written, ' He will give command 
Concerning thee to his angels, in their hands 
They shall up lift thee, lest at any time 
Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone.'" 

To whom thus Jesus : "Also it is written 560 

1 Tempt not the Lord thy God."' He said, & stood . 
But Satan, smitten with amazement, fell. 
As when Earth's son, Antaeus, to compare 
Small things with greatest, in Irassa strove 
With Jove's Alcides, and oft foil'd, still rose, 565 

Receiving from his mother Earth new strength, 
Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple join'd, 
Throttled at length in th' air, expir'd and fell ; 
So, after many a foil, the tempter proud, 
Renewing fresh assaults, amidst his pride, 570 

Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall : 
And as that Theban monster, that propos'd 
Her riddle, and him who solv'd it not devour'd, 
That once found out and solv'd, for grief and spite 
Cast herself headlong from th' Ismenian steep; *• 575 
So, struck with dread and anguish, fell the fiend, 
And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought 
(Joyless triumphals of his hop'd success), 
Ruin, and desperation, and dismay, 
Who durst so proudly tempt the Son ot God. 5g0 

So Satan fell : and straight a fiery globe 
Of Angels on full sail of wing flew nigh, 
Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft 
From his uneasy station, and upbore, 
As on a floating couch, through the blithe air ; 585 

Then, in a flowery valley, set him down 
On a green bank, and set before him spread 
A table of celestial food, divine 
Ambrosial fruits, fetch'd from the tree of life, 
And, from the fount of life, ambrosial drink, 590 

That soon refresh' d him wearied, and repair 'd 
What hunger, if aught hunger, had impair'd, 
Jr thirst; and, as he fed, angelic quires 
Sung heavenly anthems of his victory 
Over temptation and the Tempter proud. * 595 

" True image of the Father ; whether thron'd 
In the bosom of bliss, and light of light 
Conceiving, or, remote from Heaven, enshrin'd 
In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, 
Wandering the wilderness ; whatever place, 600 

Habit, or state, or motion, still expressing 



4 PARADISE REGAINED. 

The Son of God, with godlike force endued 
Against the attempter of thy Father's throne, 
And thief of Paradise ! him long of old 
Thou didst debel, and down from Heaven cast 605 

With all his army ; now thou hast aveng'd 
Supplanted Adam, and, by vanquishing 
Temptation, hast regain'd lost Paradise, 
And frustrated the conquest fraudulent. 
He never more henceforth will dare set foot 610 

In Paradise to tempt ; his snares are broke ; 
For, though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd, 
A fairer Paradise is founded now 
For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou, 
A Saviour, art come down to reinstall, 615 

Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, 
Of tempter and temptation without fear. 
But thou, infernal Serpent! shalt not long 
Rule in the clouds ; like an autumnal star, 
Orlightning, thou shaltfall from Heaven, trod down 620 

Under his feet : for proof, ere this thou feel'st 
Thy wound, yet not thy last & deadliest wound, 
By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'st in Hell 
No triumph : in all her gates Abaddon rues 
Thy bold attempt. Hereafter learn with awe 625 

To dread the Son of God : he, all unarm'd, 
Shall chase thee, with the terror of his voice, 
From thy demoniac holds, possession foul, 
Thee and thy legions ; yelling they shall fly, 
And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, 630 

Lest he command them down into the deep, 
Bound, and to torment sent before their time. 
Hail, Son of the Most High, heir of both worlds, 
Queller of Satan ! on thy glorious work, 
Now enter ; and begin to save mankind." 
Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, 
Sung victor, and, from heavenly feast refresh'd, 
Brought on his way with joy ; he, unobserv'd, 
Home to his mother's house private return'd. 



THE END OF PARADISE REGAINED. 



635 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



DRAMATIC POEM 



Tragoedia est imitatio actionis serise, &c. per misericordiam et 
metum perficiens talium affectuum lustrationem. 



OF THAT 

SORT OF DRAMATIC POEM 

WHICH IS CALLED 

TRAGEDY. 



Tragedy, as it was anciently composed, hath been 
ever held the gravest, moralest, and most profitable 
of all other poems : therefore said by Aristotle to be 
of power, by raising pity and fear, or terror, to purge 
the mind of those and such like passions ; that is, to 
temper and reduce them to just measure with a kind 
of delight, stirred up by reading or seeing those pas- 
sions well imitated. Nor is Nature wanting in her 
own effects to make good his assertion ; for so, in 
physic, things of melancholy hue and quality are 
used against melancholy, sour against sour, salt to 
remove salt humours. Hence philosophers and other 
gravest writers, as Cicero, Plutarch, and others, fre- 
quently cite out of tragic poets, both to adorn and 
illustrate their discourse. The apostle Paul himself 
thought it not unworthy to insert a verse of Euripides 
into the text of Holy Scripture, 1 Cor. xv. 33 ; and 
Parseus, commenting on the Revelation, divides the 
whole book as a tragedy, into acts distinguished 
each by chorus of heavenly harpings and song 
between. Heretofore men in highest dignity have 
laboured not a little to be thought able to compose a 
tragedy. Of that honour Dionysius the elder was 
no less ambitious, than before of his attaining to the 
tyranny. Augustus Csesar also had begun his Ajax, 
but, unable to please his own judgment with what 
he had begun, left it unfinished. Seneca, the philo- 
sopher, is by some thought the author of those 
tragedies (at least the best of them) that go under 
that name. Gregory Nazianzen, a Father of the 
Church, thought it not unbeseeming the sanctity of 
his person to write a tragedy which is entitled 



336 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



" Christ Suffering." This is mentioned to vindicate 
tragedy from the small esteem, or rather infamy, 
which in the account of many it undergoes at this 
day with other common interludes; happening 
through the poet's error of intermixing comic stuff 
with tragic sadness and gravity; or introducing 
trivial and vulgar persons, which by all judicious hath 
been counted absurd and brought in without dis- 
cretion, corruptly to gratify the people. And though 
Ancient Tragedy use no prologue, yet using some- 
times, in case of self-defence, or explanation, that 
which Martial calls an epistle. In behalf of this 
tragedy coming forth after the ancient manner, much 
different from what among us passes for best, thus 
much beforehand may be epistled — that Chorus is 
here introduced after the Greek manner, not ancient 
only but modern, and still in use among the Italians. 
In the modelling, therefore, of this poem, with good 
reason, the Ancients and Italians are rather followed, 
as of much more authority and fame. The measure 
of verse used in the Chorus is of all sorts, called by 
the Greeks Monosthropic, or rather Apolelymenon, 
without regard had to Strophe, Antistrophe, or 
Epode, which were a kind of stanzas framed only for 
the music then used with the Chorus that sung ; not 
essential to the poem, and therefore not material ; or, 
being divided into stanzas or pauses, they may be 
called Allceostropha. Division into act and scene 
referring chiefly to the stage (to which this work 
never was intended) is here omitted. 

It suffices Jf the whole drama be found not pro- 
duced beyond the fifth act. Of the style and uni- 
formity, and that commonly called the plot, whether 
intricate or explicit, which is nothing indeed but 
such economy or disposition of the fable as may 
stand best with verisimilitude and decorum ; they 
only will best judge who are not unacquainted with 
iEschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, the three tragic 
poets unequalled yet by any, and the best rule to all 
who endeavour to write tragedy. The circumscrip- 
tion of time, wherein the whole drama begins and 
ends, is according to ancient rule, and best example, 
within the space of twenty-four hours. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



THE PERSONS. 



Harapha of Gath. 
Public Officer. 



Samson. 

Manoah, the Father of 

Samson. 
Dalila, his Wife. Chorus of Danites. 

The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. 



THE ARGUMENT. 

Samson, made captive, blind, and now in the prison of Gaza, there 
to labour as in a common workhouse, on a festival day, in the 
general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, to a 
place nigh, somewhat retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan his 
condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by certain 
friends and equals of his tribe, which make the Chorus, who seek 
to comfort him what they can ; then by his old father Manoah, who 
endeavours the like, and withal tells him his purpose to procure 
his liberty by ransom ; lastly, that this feast was proclaimed by the 
Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their deliverance from the 
hands of Samson, which yet more troubles him. Manoah then 
departs to prosecute his endeavour with the Philistine lords for 
Samson's redemption ; who in the mean time is visited by other 
persons j and lastly by a public officer, to require his coming to 
the feast before the lords and people, to play or show his strength 
in their presence ; he at first refuses, dismissing the public officer 
with absolute denial to come; at length, persuaded inwardly that 
this was from God, he yields to go along with him, who now came 
the second time with great threatenings to fetch him : the Chorus 
yet remaining on the place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to 
procure ere long his son's deliverance : in the midst of which dis- 
course a Hebrew comes in haste, confusedly at first, and after- 
wards more distinctly, relating the catastrophe, what Samson had 
done to the Philistines, and by accident to himself, wherewith the 
tragedy ends. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Samson {Attendant leading Mm). 

A little onward, lend thy guiding hand 
To these dark steps, a little further on ; 
For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade : 
There I am wont to sit, when any chance 
Relieves me from my task of servile toil, 5 

Daily in the common prison else enjoin'd me, 
Where I, a prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw 
The air, imprison'd also ; close and damp, 
Unwholesome draught : but here I feel amends, 
The breath of Heaven fresh blowing, pure & sweet 1 

With day-spring born ; here leave me to respire. — 
This day a solemn feast the people hold 
To Dagon, their sea idol, and forbid 
Laborious works ; unwillingly, this rest 
Their superstition yields me; hence, with leave, 15 

Retiring from the popular noise, I seek 
This unfrequented place to find some ease ; 
Ease to my body some, none to the mind 
From restless thoughts, that like a deadly swarm 
Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 20 

But rush upon me, thronging, and present 
Times past, what once I was, and what am now. 
O wherefore was my birth from Heaven foretold 
Twice by an angel? who at last, in sight 
Of both my parents, all in flames ascended, 25 

From off the altar, where an offering burn'd, 
As in a fiery column charioting 
His god-like presence, & from some great act, 
Or benefit reveal'd, to Abraham's race. 
Why was my breeding order'd and prescribed, 30 

As of a person separate to God, 
Design'd for great exploits ? if I must die, 
Betray 'd, captived, and both my eyes put out, 
Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze ; 
To grind in brazen fetters, under task, 35 

With this heaven-gifted strength . O glorious strength 
Put to the labour of a beast, debased 
Lower than bond-slave ! Promise was, that I 
Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver : 
Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 40 

Eyeless in Gaza, at the mill with slaves ; 
Himself in bonds, under Philistian yoke : 



340 SAMSON AOONIST19. 

Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt 
Divine prediction; what if all foretold 
Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default, 45 

Whom have I to complain of but myself? 
Who, this high gift of strength committed to me, 
In what part lodged, how easily bereft me, 
Under the seal of silence could not keep 
But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 50 

O'ercome with importunity and tears. 
O impotence of mind, in body strong ! 
But what is strength, without a double share 
Of wisdom? vast, unwieldly, burdensome, 
Proudly secure, yet liable to fall, 55 

By weakest subtleties; not made to rule, 
But to subserve, where wisdom bears command. 
God, when he gave me strength, to show withal 
How slight the gift was, hung it in my hair. 
But peace ; I must not quarrel with the will 60 

Of highest dispensation, which, herein, 
Haply had ends, above my reach to know : 
Suffices that, to me, strength is my bane, 
And proves the source of all my miseries; 
So many, and so huge, that each apart 65 

Would ask a life to wail, but chief of all, 
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! 
Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, 
Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepit age ! 
Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, 70 

And all her various objects of delight 
Annull'd, which might, in part, my grief have eased, 
Inferior to the vilest now become, 
Of man or worm ; the vilest here excel me, 
They creep, yet see ; I, dark in light, exposed 75 

To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong, 
Within doors, or without, still as a fool, 
In power of others, never in my own ; 
Scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half. 
O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon, 80 

•Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse, 
Without all hope of day ! 
O first created beam, and thou great word, 
" Let there be light, and light was over all ;" 
Why am I thus bereaved thy prime decree ? 85 

The sun to me is dark, 
And silent as the moon, 
When she deserts the night, 
Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 341 

Since light so necessary is to life, 90 

And almost life itself, if it be true 

That light is in the soul, 

She all in every part; why was the sight 

To such a tender ball as the eye confined, 

So obvious and so easy to be quench 'd ; 95 

And not, as feeling, through all parts diffus'd, 

That she might look, at will, through every pore? 

Then had I not been thus exiled from light, 

As in the land of darkness ; yet in light 

To live a life half dead, a living death, 100 

And buried ; but, O yet more miserable ! 

Myself, my sepulchre, a moving grave, 

Buried, yet not exempt, 

By privilege of death and burial, 

From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs ; 105 

But made, hereby, obnoxious more 

To all the miseries of life 

Life, in captivity, 

Among inhuman foes. 

But who are these ? for, with joint pace, I hear 110 

The tread of many feet steering this way ; 

Perhaps my enemies, who come to stare 

At my affliction, and perhaps to insult, 

Their daily practice, to afflict me more. 

Chorus. 

Chor. This, this is he, softly awhile, 115 

Let us not break in upon him ; 
O change beyond report, thought, or belief! 
See, how he lies at random, carelessly diffused, 
With languish'd head unpropp'd, 

As one past hope, abandon'd, 120 

And by himself given over; 
In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds 
O'er- worn and soil'd ; 

Or do my eyes misrepresent ? Can this be he, 
That heroic, that renown'd, 125 

Irresistible Samson ? whom, unarm'd, 
No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast, could withstand , 
Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid ; 
Ran on embattled armies, clad in iron ; 
And weaponless himself; *«*Q 

Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery 
Of brazen shield & spear, the hammer'd cuirass, 
Chalybean temper'd steel, and frock of mail, 
Adamantean proof; ' 



342 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

But safest he who stood aloof, 135 

When insupportably his foot advanced ; 

In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 

Spurn'd them to death by troops. The bold Ascalonite 

Fled from his lion ramp, old warriors turn'd 

Their plated backs under his heel; 1 40 

Or, grovelling, soil'd their crested helmets in the dust 

Then, with what trivial weapon came to hand, 

The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 

A thousand fore-skins fell, the flower of Palestine. 

In Ramath-lechi, famous to this day. 145 

Then by main force pull' up, and on his shoulders bore 

The gates of Azza, post, and massy bar, 

Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old, 

No journey of a sabbath-day, and loaded so ; 

Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up Heaven 1 50 

Which shall I first bewail, 

Thy bondage, or lost sight, 

Prison within prison, 

Inseparably dark ? 

Thou art become O worst imprisonment 155 

The dungeon of thyself; thy soul, 

Which men enjoying sight oft without cause complain, 

Imprison'd now indeed, 

In real darkness of the body dwells, 

Shut up from outward light 160 

To incorporate with gloomy night ; 

For inward light, alas ! 

Puts forth no visual beam. 

O mirror of our fickle state, 

Since man on earth unparallel'd ! ' " 

The rarer thy example stands, 

By how much from the top of wonderous glory, 

Strongest of mortal men, 

To lowest pitch of abject fortune, thou art fallen. 

For him I reckon not in high estate, 170 

Whom long descent of birth, 

Or the sphere of fortune raises ; 

But thee, whose strength, while virtue was her mate 

Might have subdued the earth, 

Universally crown 'd with highest praises. 1 75 

Sams. I hear the sound of words, their sense the air 
Dissolves, unjointed, ere it reach my ear. 

Chor. He speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless 
The glory late of Israel, now the grief; 
We come, thy friends & neighbours, not unknown in might 
From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful vale, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 343 

To visit or bewail thee, or if better, 

Counsel or consolation we may bring, 

Salve to thy sores ; apt words have power to swage 

The tumours of a troubled mind, 185 

And are as balm to fester'd wounds.) 

Sams. Your coming, friends, revives me ; for I learn 
Now, of my own experience, not by talk, 
( How counterfeit a coin they are, who friends 
Bear in their superscription; of the most 190 

I would be understood: in prosperous days 
They swarm, but in adverse, withdraw their head ; 
Not to be found, though sought. Ye see, O friends, 
How many evils have enclosed me round ; 
Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me, 195 

Blindness ; for had I sight, confused with shame, 
How could I once look up, or heave the head, 
Who, like a foolish pilot, have shipwreck'd 
My vessel, trusted to me from above, 
Gloriously rigg'd ; and for a word, a tear, 200 

Fool, have divulged the secret gift of God, 
To a deceitful woman? tell me, friends, 
Am I not sung, and proverb'd for a fool, 
In every street ? do they not say, how well 
Are come upon him his deserts ? yet why ? 205 

Immeasurable strength they might behold 
In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean; 
This with the other should, at least, have pair'd ; 
These two, proportion'd ill, drove me transverse. 

Chor. /Tax not divine disposal; wisest men 210 

Have err'd, and by bad women been deceived ; 
And shall again, pretend they ne'er so wise. 
Deject not then so overmuch thyself, 
Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides ; 
Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 215 

Why thou should'stwed Philistian women, rather 
Than of thine own tribe ; fairer, or as fair, 
At least of thy own nation, and as noble. 

Sams. The first I saw at Timna, & she pleased 
Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed 220 

The daughter of an infidel : they knew not, 
That what I motion'd was of God ; I knew 
From intimate impulse, and therefore urged 
The marriage on ; that, by occasion hence 
I might begin Israel's deliverance, 225 

The work to which I was divinely calTd. 
She proving false, the next I took to wife, 
that I never had ! fond wish too late ! 



344 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 

That specious monster, my accomplish'd snare. 230 

I thought it lawful from my former act, 

And the same end ; still watching to oppress 

Israel's oppressors : of what now I suffer, 

She was not the prime cause, but I myself ; 

Who, vanquish'd with a peal of words, O weakness ! 235 

Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. 

Chor. In seeking just occasion to provoke 
The Philistine, thy country's enemy, 
Thou never wast amiss, I bear thee witness : 
Yet Israel still serves, with all his sons. 240 

Sams. That fault I take not on me, but transfer 
On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes, 
Who, seeing those great acts, which God had done 
Singly by me, against their conquerors, 
Acknowledged not, or not at all consider 'd, 245 

Deliverance offer'd : I, on the other side, 
Used no ambition to commend my deeds; 
The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the doer. 
But they persisted deaf, and would not seem 
To count them things worth notice, till at length 250 

Their lords, the Philistines, with gather 'd powers, 
Enter'd Judea, seeking me, who then 
Safe to the rock of Etham was retired; 
Not flying, but fore-casting in what place 
To set upon them, what advantaged best. 255 

Meanwhile the men of Judah, to prevent 
The harass of their land, beset me round : 
I willingly, on some conditions, came 
Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 
To the uncircumcised, a welcome prey, 260 

Bound with two cords; but cords to me were threads, 
Touch'd with the flame : on their whole host I flew, 
Unarm'd, and, with a trivial weapon, fell'd 
Their choicest youth ; they only lived who fled. 
Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe, 265 

They had by this possess'd the towers of Gath, 
And lorded over them, whom they now serve : 
But what more oft, in nations grown corrupt, 
And by their vices brought to servitude, 
Than to love bondage more than liberty, 270 

Bondage with ease, than strenuous liberty ; 
And to despise, or envy, or suspect, 
Whom God hath, of his special favour, rais'd 
As their deliverer ;j if he aught begin, 
How frequent to desert him, and, at last, 275 



SAMSON AGONIST ES. 345 

To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? 

Chor. Thy words to my remembrance bring 
How Succoth, and the fort of Penuel, 
Their great deliverer contemn'd, 

The matchless Gideon, in pursuit 280 

Of Midian and her vanquish'd kings : 
And how ingrateful Ephraim 
Had dealt with Jephtha, who, by argument, 
Not worse than by his shield and spear, 
Defended Israel from the Ammonite, 285 

Had not his prowess quell'd their pride, 
In that sore battle, when so many died 
Without reprieve, adjudg'd to death, 
For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. 

Sams. Of such examples add me to the roll ; 290 

Me easily, indeed, mine may neglect, 
But God's proposed deliverance not so. 

Chor. Just are the ways of God, 
And justifiable to men; 

Unless there be who think not God at all : 295 

If any be, they walk obscure; 
For of such doctrine never was there school, 
But the heart of the fool, 
And no man therein doctor but himself. 

Yet more there be who doubt his ways not j ust, 300 

As to his own edicts found contradicting, 
Then give the reins to wandering thought, 
Regardless of his glory's diminution ; 
Till, by their own perplexities involved, 
They ravel more, still less resolved, 305 

But never find self-satisfying solution. 

As if they would confine the Interminable, 
And tie him to his own prescript, 
Who made our laws to bind us, not himself; 
And hath full right to exempt 310 

Whom so it pleases him by choice, 
From national obstriction, without taint 
Of sin, or legal debt ; 
For with his own laws he can best dispense. 

He would not else, who never wanted means, 315 

Nor, in respect of the enemy, just cause, 
To set his people free, 
Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, 
Against his vow of strictest purity, 
To seek in marriage that fallacious bride, 320 

Unclean, unchaste. 

Down, reason then, at least vain reasonings down ; 



346 SAMSON AGONISTfiS 

Though reason here aver 

That moral verdict quits her of unclean , 

Unchaste was subsequent ; her stain, not his. 325 

But see, here comes thy reverend sire, 
With careful step, locks white as down, 
Old Manoah : advise 
Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 

Sams. Ah me, another inward grief awaked, 330 

With mention of that name, renews the assault. 

Enter Manoah. 

Man. Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem, 
Though in this uncouth place ; if old respect, 
As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend, 
My son, now captive, hither hath inform'd 335 

Your younger feet, while mine cast back with age, 
Came lagging after; say, if he be here. 

Ckor. As signal now, in low dejected state, 
As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. 

Man. miserable change ! is this the man, 340 

That invincible Samson, far renown'd, 
The dread of Israel's foes, who, with a strength 
Equivalent to angels, walk'd their streets, 
None offering fight ; who, single combatant, 
Duell'd their armies, rank'd in proud array, 345 

Himself an army; now unequal match 
To save himself against a coward, arm'd 
At one spear's length. O ever-failing trust 
In mortal strength ! and oh, what not in man 
Deceivable and vain ? nay, what thing good, 350 

Pray'd for, but often proves our woe, our bane? 
I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness 
In wedlock a reproach ; ; I gain'd a son, 
And such a son as all men hail'd me happy ; — 
Who would be now a father in my stead ? 355 

O wherefore did God grant me my request, 
And, as a blessing, with such pomp adorn'd ? 
f Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt 
Our earnest prayers, then given with solemn hand, 
As graces, draw a scorpion's tail behind? ) 360 

For this did the angel twice descend ? for this 
Ordain 'd thy nurture holy, as of a plant 
Select and sacred, glorious for a while, 
The miracle of men ; then in an hour 
Ensnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 365 

Thy foes' derision, captive, poor, and blind, 
Into a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves ? 



SAMSON AGONISTES 347 

Alas, methinks whom God hath chosen once 

To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err, 

He should not so o'erwhelm, and, as a thrall, 370 

Subject him to so foul indignities, 

Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. 

Sams. Appoint not heavenly disposition, Father; 
Nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me, 
But justly ; I myself have brought them on, 375 

Sole author I, sole cause : if aught seem vile, 
As vile hath been my folly, who have profaned 
The mystery of God, given me under pledge 
Of vow, and have betray 'd it to a woman, 
A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 380 

This well I knew, nor was at all surpris'd, 
But warn'd by oft experience : did not she 
Of Timna first betray me, and reveal 
The secret wrested from me, in her highth 
Of nuptial love profess'd, carrying it straight 385 

To them who had corrupted her, my spies, 
And rivals? In this other, was there found 
More faith? who also, in her prime of love, 
Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold, 
Though offer'd only, by the sent conceived 390 

Her spurious first-born ; treason against me ! 
(Thrice she assay'd, with flattering prayers and sighs, 
And amorous reproaches, to win from me 
My capital secret, in what part my strength 
Lay stored, in what part summ'd, that she might know ; 395 
Thrice I deluded her, and turn'd to sport 
Her importunity, each time perceiving 
How openly, and with what impudence 
She purposed to betray me ; and, which was worse 
Than undissembled hate, with what contempt 400 

She sought to make me traitor to myself: 
Yet the fourth time, when mustering all her wiles, 
With blandish'd parlies, feminine assaults, 
Tongue-batteries, she surceased not, day nor night, 
To storm me, over-watched, and wearied out, 405 

At times when men seek most repose and rest 
I yielded, and unlock 'd her all my heart ; 
Who, with a grain of manhood well resolved, 
Might easily have shook off all her snares : 
But foul effeminacy held me yoked, 410 

Her bond-slave; O indignity, O blot 
To honour and religion! servile mind, 
Rewarded well with servile punishment ! 
The base degree to which I now am fallen, * 



348 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

These rags, this grinding is not yet so base 415 

As was my former servitude, ignoble, 

Unmanly, ignominous, infamous, 

True slavery, and that blindness, worse than this, 

That saw not how degenerately I served. 

Man. I cannot praise thy marriage-choices, son, 420 

Rather approved them not ; but thou didst plead 
Divine impulsion prompting, how thou might'st 
Find some occasion to infest our foes. 
I state not that ; this I am sure, our foes 
Found soon occasion, thereby, to make thee 425 

Their captive, and their triumph ; thou the sooner 
Temptation found'st, or over- potent charms, 
To violate the sacred trust of silence, 
Deposited within thee ; which to have kept 
Tacit, was in thy power : true ; and thou bear'st 430 

Enough, and more, the burden of that fault ; 
Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying, 
That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains ; 
This day the Philistines a popular feast 
Here celebrate in Gaza; and proclaim 435 

Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud, 
To Dagon, as their god, who hath deliver'd 
Thee, Samson, bound and blind, into their hands, 
Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain . 
So Dagon shall be magnified, and God, 440 

Besides whom is no God, compared with idols, 
Disglorified, blasphemed, and had in scorn, 
By the idolatrous rout, amidst their wine : 
Which, to have come to pass by means of thee, 
Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 445 

Of all reproach the most, with shame, that ever 
Could have befall'n thee, and thy father's house. 

Sams. Father, I do acknowledge and confess, 
That I this honour, I this pomp have brought 
To Dagon, and advanced his praises high, 450 

Among the heathen round ; to God have brought 
Dishonour, obloquy, and oped the mouths 
Of idolists, and atheists ; have brought scandal 
To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt 
In feeble hearts, propense enough before 455 

To waver, or fall off and join with idols ; 
Which is my chief affliction, shame, and sorrow, 
The anguish of my soul, that suffers not 
Mine eye to harbour sleep, or thoughts to rest. 
This only hope relieves me, that the strife 460 

With me hath end ; all the contest is now 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



349 



'Twixt God and Dagon ; Dagon hath presumed, 

Me overthrown, to enter lists with God, 

His deity comparing and preferring 

Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure 465 

Will not connive, or linger, thus provoked 

But will arise, and his great name assert : 

Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive 

Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him 

Of all these boasted trophies, won on me, 470 

And, with confusion, blank his worshippers. 

Man. With cause this hope relieves thee, and these words 
I as a prophecy receive ; for God, 
Nothing more certain, will not long defer 
To vindicate the glory of his name, 475 

Against all competition, nor will long 
Endure it doubtful, whether God be Lord, 
Or Dagon. But for thee, what shall be done? 
Thou must not in the meanwhile, here forgot 
Lie in this miserable loathsome plight, 480 

Neglected. I already have made way 
To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat 
About thy ransom : well they may by this 
Have satisfied their utmost of revenge, 
By pains and slaveries, worse than death inflicted 485 

On thee, who now no more canst do them harm 

Sams. Spare that proposal, father, spare the trouble 
Of that solicitation ; let me here, 
As I deserve, pay on my punishment 
And expiate, if possible, my crime, 490 

Shameful garrulity. To have reveal'd 
Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend, 
How heinous had the fact been, how deserving 
Contempt, and scorn of all, to be excluded 
All friendship, and avoided as a blab, 495 

The mark of fool set on his front? but I 
God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret 
Presumptuously have publish'd, impiously, 
Weakly at least, and shamefully; a sin 
That Gentiles in their parables condemn, 500 

"To their abyss and horrid pains confined. 

Man. Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite, 
But act not in thy own affliction, son : 
Repent the sin, but if the punishment 
Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids ; 505 

Or the execution leave to high disposal, 
And let another hand, not thine, exact 
Thy penal forfeit from thyself : (perhaps 



350 SAMSON AGON1STES. 

God will relent, and 'quit thee all his debt; ) 

Whoever more approves, and more accepts, 510 

Best pleas'd with humble and filial submission, 

Him who imploring mercy sues for life, 

Than who, self-rigorous, chooses death as due ; 

Which argues over-just, and self-displeased, 

For self-offence, more than for God offended. 515 

Reject not then what offer'd means ; who knows 

But God hath set before us, to return thee 

Home to thy country, and his sacred house, 

Where thou mayst bring thy offerings, to avert 

His further ire, with prayers and vows renew'd ! 520 

Sams. His pardon I implore ; but as for life, 
To what end should I seek it ? when in strength 
All mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes, 
With youthful courage, and magnanimous thoughts 
Of birth, from Heaven foretold, and high exploits 525 

Full of divine instinct, after some proof 
Of acts indeed heroic, far beyond 
The sons of Anak ; famous now and blazed, 
Fearless of danger, like a petty god 
I walk'd about, admired of all, and dreaded 530 

On hostile ground, none daring my affront. 
Then, swolPn with pride, into the snare I fell, 
)f fair, fallacious looks, venereal trains, 
Soften'd with pleasure, and voluptuous life ; 
At length to lay my head, and hallow'd pledge 535 

Of all my strength, in the lascivious lap 
Of a deceitful concubine, who shore me, 
Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece, 
Then turn'd me out, ridiculous, despoil'd, 
Shaven, and disarm'd among mine enemies. 540 

Chor. Desire of wine, and all delicious drinks, 
Which many a famous warrior overturns, 
Thou couldst repress ; nor did the dancing ruby, 
Sparkling, out-pour'd, the flavour, or the smell, 
Or taste, that cheers the heart of gods and men, 645 

Allure thee, from the cool crystalline stream. 

Sams. Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd, 
Against the eastern ray, translucent pure, 
With touch ethereal of Heaven's fiery rod, 
I drank, from the clear milky juice, allaying 550 

Thirst, and refresh *d : nor envied them the grape, 
Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. 

Chor. O madness, to think use of strongest wines. 
And strongest drinks, our chief support of health, 
When God, witli these forbidden, made choice to rear 555 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 351 

His mighty champion, strong above compare, 
Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. 

Sams. But what avail'd this temperance, not complete 
Against another object, more enticing ? 
What boots it at one gate to make defence, 560 

And at another to let in the foe, 
Effeminately vanquish'd ? by which means, 
Now blind, dishearten'd, shamed, dishonour'd.quell'd, 
To what can I be useful, wherein serve 
My nation, and the work from Heaven imposed, 565 

But to sit idle, on the household hearth, 
A burdenous drone to visitants a gaze, 
Or pitied object; these redundant locks, 
Robustious to no purpose, clustering down, 
Vain monument of strength ; till length of years 570 

And sedentary numbness, craze my limbs, 
To a contemptible old age, obscure? 
Here, rather, let me drudge, and earn my bread, 
Till vermin, or the draff of servile food, 
Consume me, and oft-invocated death 575 

Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. 

Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with that gift 
Which was expressly given thee to annoy them ? 
Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle, 
Inglorious, unemploy'd, with age outworn, 580 

But God, who caused a fountain, at thy prayer, 
From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst to allay, 
After the brunt of battle, can, as easy, 
Cause light again within thy eyes to spring, 
Wherewith to serve him better than thou hast ; 585 

And I persuade me so ; why else this strength, 
Miraculous, yet remaining in those locks ? 
His might continues in thee, not for nought, 
Nor shall his wonderous gifts be frustrate thus. 

Sams. All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 590 
That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light, 
Nor the other light of life continue long, 
But yield to double darkness, nigh at hand : 
So much I feel my genial spirits droop, 
My hopes all flat, nature within me seems, 595 

In all her functions, weary of herself, 
My race of glory run, and race of shame, 
And I shall shortly be with them that rest. 

Man. Believe not these suggestions, which proceed 
From anguish of the mind, and humours black, 600 

That mingle with thy fancy. I, however. 
Must not omit a father's timely care, 



352 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

To prosecute thy means of thy deliverance, 
By ransom, or how else : meanwhile be calm, 
And healing words, from these thy friends, admit. 605 

[Exit. 

Sams. O that torment should not be confined 
To the body's wounds and sores 
With maladies innumerable, 

In heart, head, breast, and reins ; 610 

But must secret passage find 
To the inmost mind, 
There exercise all his fierce accidents, 
And on her purest spirits prey 
As on entrails, joints, and limbs, 

With answerable pains, but more intense, 615 

Though void of corporal sense. 

My griefs not only pain me, 
As a lingering disease, 
But finding no redress, ferment and rage, 
Nor less than wounds immedicable, 620 

Rankle, and fester, and gangrene, 
To black mortification. 

Thoughts, my tormenters, arm'd with deadly stings 
Mangle my apprehensive, tenderest parts; 
Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 625 

Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb, 
Or medicinal liquor, can assuage, 
Nor breath of vernal air, from snowy Alp. 
Sleep hath forsook, and given me o'er 
To death's benumbing opium, as my only cure : 630 

Thence faintings, swoonings of despair, 
And sense of Heaven's desertion. 

I was his nurseling once, and choice delight, 
His destined from the womb, 

Promised by heavenly message, twice descending. 635 

Under his special eye, 
Abstemious, I grew up and thrived amain ; 
He led me on to mightiest deeds, 
Above the nerve of mortal arm, 

Against the uncircumcised, our enemies : 640 

But now hath cast me off, as never known, 
And to those cruel enemies, 
Whom I, by his appointment, had provoked, 
Left me all helpless, with the irreparable loss 
Of sight, reserved alive to be repeated 645 

The subject of their cruelty or scorn. 
Nor am I in the list of them that hope; 
Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless j 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 353 

This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard, 
No long petition; speedy death, 650 

The close of all my miseries, and the balm. 
Chor. Many are the sayings of the wise 
In ancient and in modern books enroll'd, 
Extolling patience, as the truest fortitude ; 
And to the bearing well of all calamities, 655 

All chances, incident to man's frail life, 
Consolatories, writ 

With studied argument, and much persuasion sought, 
Lenient of grief and anxious thought : 
But with the afflicted, in his pangs, their sound 660 

Little prevails, or rather seems a tune 
Harsh, and of dissonant mood, from his complaint 
Unless he feel within 
Some source of consolation, from above ; 
Secret refreshings, that repair his strength , 665 

And fainting spirits uphold. 

God of our fathers, what is man ! 
That thou towards him, with hand so various, 
Or might I say contrarious, 

Temper'st thy providence, through his short course, 670 

Not evenly, as thou rulest 
The angelic orders, and inferior creatures mute, 

Irrational and brute. 

Nor do I name of men the common rout 

That wandering lose about, "/$ 

Grow up and perish, as the summer-fly ; 

Heads without name, no more remember'd ; 

But such as thou hast solemly elected. 

With gifts and graces eminently adorn'd. 

To some great work, thy glory, 680 

And people's safety, which in part they effect : 

Yet towards these, thus dignified, thou oft, 

Amidst their highth of noon, 

Changest thy countenance, and thy hand, with no regard 

Of highest favours past 685 

From thee on them, or them to thee of service. 
Nor only dost degrade them, or remit 

To life obscured, which were a fair dismission, 

But throw'st them lower than thou didst exalt them high j 

Unseemly falls in human eye, 690 

Too grievous for the trespass or omission ; 

Oft leavest them to the hostile sword 

Of heathen and profane, their carcasses 

To dogs and fowls a prey, or else captived; 

Or to f he unjust tribunals, under change of times, 69s 



354 SAMSON AGONIS1ES. 

And condemnation of the in grateful multitude. 

If these they 'scape, perhaps in poverty, 

With sickness & disease, thou bow'st them down, 

Painful diseases, and deform'd, 

In crude old age; 700 

Though not disordinate, yet causeless suffering, 

The punishment of dissolute days : in fine, 

Just or unjust alike seem miserable, 

For oft alike both come to evil end." 

So deal not with, this once, thy glorious champion , 705 
The image of thy strength, and mighty minister. 
What do I beg ? how hast thou dealt already ? 
Behold him in this state, calamitous ; & turn 
His labours, for thou canst, to peaceful end. 

But who is this, what thing of sea or land? 710 

Female of sex it seems, 
That so bedeck'd, ornate, and gay, 
Comes this way sailing, 
Like a stately ship 

Of Tarsus, bound for the isles 715 

Of Javan or Gadire, 
With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, 
Sails fill'd, and streamers waving. 
Courted by all the winds that hold them play, 
An amber scent, of odorous perfume, ^20 

Her harbinger, a damsel train behind ; 
Some rich Phi'listian matron she may seem ; 
And now at nearer view, no other, certain, 
Than Dalila, thy wife. 

Sams. My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me. 

Chor. Yet on she moves, now stands, and eyes thee fix'd, 
About to have spoke ; but now, with head declined, 
Like a fair flower surcharged with dew, she weeps, 
And words addressed seem into tears dissolved, 
Wetting the borders of her silken veil : 730 

But now again she makes address to speak. 

Enter Dalila. 
Dal. With doubtful feet, & wavering resolution, 
I came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, 
Which to have merited, without excuse, 
I cannot but m acknowledge ; yet, if tears 735 

May expiate, though the fact more evil drew, 
In the perverse event, than I foresaw, 
My penance hath not slacken'd, though my pardon 
No way assured. But conjugal affection, 
Prevailing over fear, and timorous doubt, 740 



SAMSON AC O-NISTES. 365 

Hath led me on, desirous to behold, 

Once more, thy face, & know of thy estate ; 

If aught, in my ability, may serve 

To lighten what thou suffer'st, and appease 

Thy mind, with what amends is in my power, 745 

Though late, yet in some part to recompense 

My rash, but more unfortunate, misdeed. 

Sams. Out, out, hysena ! these are thy wonted arts, 
And arts of every woman, false like thee, 
To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray ; 750 

Then as repentant, to submit, beseech, 
And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, 
Confess, and promise wonders in her change ; 
Not truly penitent, but chief to try 
Her husband, how far urged his patience bears, 755 

His virtue, or weakness, which way to assail *« 
Then, with more cautious & instructed skill, 
Again transgresses, and again submits ; 
That wisest and best men, full oft beguiled, 
With goodness, principled not to reject 760 

The penitent, but ever to forgive, 
Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 
Entangled with a poisonous bosom snake, 
If not by quick destruction soon cut off, 
As I by thee, to ages an example. 765 

Dal. Yet hear me, Samson ; not that I endes^vour 
To lessen, or extenuate my offence, 
But that, on the other side, if it be weigh'd 
By itself, with aggravations not surcharged, 
Or else with just allowance counterpoised, "70 

1 may, if possible, thy pardon find 
The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. 
First granting, as I do, it was a weakness 
In me, but incident to all our sex, 
Curiosity inquisitive, importune 775 

Of secrets, then, with like infirmity, 
To publish them ; both common female faults. 
Was it not weakness also to make known, 
For importunity, that is for nought, 
Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety ? 780 

To what I did, thou show'd'st me first the way 
But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not : 
Nor should'st thou have trusted that to woman's frailty : 
Ere I to thee, thou to thyself wast cruel. 
Let weakness then with weakness come to parle, 785 

So near related, or the same of kind, 
Thine forgive mine ; that men may censure thme 
2 a 2 



356 



SAMSON AGON1STES. 



The gentler, if severely thou exact not 

More strength from me, than in thyself was found. 

And what if love, which thou interpret'st hate, 790 

The jealousy of love, powerful of sway 

In human hearts, nor less in mind towards thee, 

Caused what I did? I saw thee mutable 

Of fancy, fear'd lest one day thou would'st leave me, 

As her at Timna, sought by all means, therefore, 795 

How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest ; 

No better way I saw, than, by importuning, 

To learn thy secrets, get into my power 

Thy key of strength and safety ; thou wilt say, 

Why then reveal'd ? I was assured by those 800 

Who tempted me, that nothing was design'd 

Against thee, but safe custody, and hold : 

That made for me ; I knew that liberty 

Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, 

While I at home, sat full of cares and fears, 805 

Wailing thy absence, in my widow 'd bed; 

Here, I should still enjoy thee, day and night, 

Mine and love's prisoner, not the Philistines', 

Whole to myself, unhazarded abroad, 

Fearless, at home, of partners in my love. 810 

These reasons, in love's law, have pass'd for good, 

Though fond and reasonless to some, perhaps ; 

And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much woe, 

Yet always pity, or pardon, hath obtained. 

Be not unlike all others, not austere 815 

As thou art strong, inflexible as steel. 

If thou, in strength, all mortals dost exceed, 

In uncompassionate anger do not so. 

Sams. Flow cunningly the sorceress displays 
Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine ! 820 

That malice, not repentance, brought thee hither, 
By this appears : I gave, thou say'st, the example, 
I led the way; bitter reproach, but true; 
I to myself was false, ere thou to me ; 
Such pardon, therefore, as I give my folly, 825 

Take to thy wicked deed ; which, when thou seest, 
Impartial, self-severe, inexorable, 
Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather 
Confess it feign'd : weakness is thy excuse, 
And I believe it, weakness to resist 830 

Philistian gold; if weakness may excuse, 
What murderer, what traitor, parricide 
incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it? 
All wickedness is weakness : that plea, therefore, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 357 

With God or man, will gain thee no remission. 835 

But love constrain'd thee : call it furious rage 

To satisfy thy lust : love seeks to have love ; 

My love how could'st thou hope, who tookst the way 

To raise in me inexpiable hate, 

Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betray'd? 840 

In vain thou strivest to cover shame, with shame, 

Or, by evasions, thy crime uncover'st more. 

Dal. Since thou determinest weakness for no plea , 
In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, 
Hear what assaults I had, what snares besides, 845 

What sieges girt me round, ere I consented ; 
Which might have awed the best-resolved of men, 
The constantest, to have yielded without blame. 
It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st 
That wrought with me : thou know'st the magistrates, 850 
And princes of my country, came in person, 
Solicited, commanded, threaten'd, urged, 
Adjur'd, by all the bonds of civil duty, 
And of religion, press'd, how just it was, 
How honourable, how glorious, to entrap 855 

A common enemy, who had destroy'd 
Such numbers of our nation : and the priest 
Was not behind, but ever at my ear, 
Preaching, how meritorious with the gods 
It would be, to ensnare an irreligious 860 

Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I 
To oppose, against such powerful arguments ? 
Only my love of thee held long debate, 
And combated, in silence, all these reasons, 
With hard contest : at length, that grounded maxim, 865 
So rife and celebrated in the mouths 
Of wisest men, that to the public good 
Private respects must yield, with grave authority, 
Took full possession of me, and prevail'd ; 
Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty, so enjoining. 870 

Sams. I thought where all thy circling wiles would end ; 
In feign'd religion, smooth hypocrisy. 
But had thy love, still odiously pretended, 
Been, as itought, sincere, it would have taught thee 
Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds. 875 

I, before all ths daughters of my tribe, 
And of my nation, chose thee, from among 
My enemies, loved thee, as too w : ell thou knew'st. 
Too well ; unbosom'd all my secrets to thee, 
Not out of levity, but overpower'd 880 

By thy request, who could deny thee nothing ; 



358 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Yet now am judged an enemy. Why then 

Didst thou at first receive me for thy husband ; 

Then, as since then, thy country's foe profess'd? 

Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 885 

Parents and country ; nor was I their subject, 

Nor under their protection, but my own ; 

Thou mine, not theirs : if aught against my life 

Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly, 

Against the law of nature, law of nations ; 890 

No more thy country, but an impious crew 

Of men conspiring to uphold their state, 

By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends 

For which our country is a name so dear; 

Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal moved thee; 895 

To please thy gods thou didst it ; gods unable 

To acquit themselves, and prosecute their foes, 

But by ungodly deeds, the contradiction 

Of their own deity, gods cannot be ; 

Less therefore to be pleased, obey'd, or fear'd. 900 

These false pretexts, and varnish'd colours failing, 

Bare in thy guilt, how foul must thou appear ! 

Dal. In argument with men, a woman ever 
Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause. 

Sams. For want of words, no doubt, or lack of oreath ; 
Witness when I was worried with thy peals. 

Dal. I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken 
In what I thought would have succeeded best. 
Let me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson ; 
Afford me place to show what recompense, 910 

Towards thee, I intend, for what I have misdone, 
Misguided; only what remains past cure 
Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist 
To afflict thyself in vain ; though sight be lost, 
Life yet hath many solaces, enjoy'd, 915 

Where other senses want not their delights, 
At home, in leisure, and domestic ease, 
Exempt from many a care and chance, to which 
Eyesight exposes daily men abroad. 
I to the lords will intercede, not doubting 920 

Their favourable ear, that I may fetch thee 
From forth this loathsome prison-house, to abide 
With me, where my redoubled love and care, 
With nursing diligence, to me glad office, 
May ever tend about thee, to old age, 925 

With all things grateful cheer'd, and so supplied, 
That what by me thou hast lost, thou least shall miss. 

Sams. No, no ; of my condition take no care ; 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 359 

It fits not ; thou and I long since are twain : 
Nor think me so unwary, or accursed, 93Q 

To bring my feet again into the snare, 
Where once I have been caught : I know thy trains, 
Though dearly to my cost, thy gins, and toils ; 
Thy fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms, 
No more on me have power, their force is null'd 935 

So much of adder's wisdom I have learn'd, 
To fence my ear against thy sorceries. 
( If, in my flower of youth and strength, when all men 
Loved, honour'd, fear'dme, thou alone could'sthateme, 
Thy husband — slight me, sell me, and forego me; 940 

How wouldst thou use me now, blind, and thereby 
Deceivable, in most things as a child 
Helpless, thence easily contemn'd, and scorn'd, 
And last, neglected ? How wouldst thou insult, 
When I must live uxorious to thy will, • 945 

In perfect thraldom ? How again betray me, 
Bearing my words and doings to the lords 
To gloss upon, and, censuring, frown or smile? 
This jail I count the house of liberty 
To thine, whose doors my feet shall never enter. ; 950 

Dal. Let me approach, at least, & touch thy hand. 

Sams. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake 
My sudden rage, to tear thee joint by joint. 
At distance, I forgive thee ; go with that ; 
Bewail thy falsehood, and the pious works 955 

It hath brought forth, to make thee memorable 
Among illustrious women, faithful wives : 
Cherish thy hasten'd widowhood, with the gold 
Of matrimonial treason : so farewell. 

Dal. I see thou art implacable, more deaf 960 

To prayers, than winds and seas ; yet winds to seas 
Are reconciled at length, and sea to shore : 
Thy anger, unappeasable, still rages, 
Eternal tempest, never to be calm'd. 
Why do I humble thus myself and suing 965 

For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate ? 
Bid go, with evil omen, and the brand 
Of infamy upon my name denounced ? 
To mix with thy concernments I desist, 
Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 970 

(Fame, if not double-faced, is double-mouth'd, 
And, with contrary blast, proclaims most deeds ; 
On both his wings, one black, the other white, 
Bears greatest names, in his wild aery flight. ) 
My name, perhaps, among the circumcised 975 



V 60 SAMSON AGONISTES 

iii Dan, in Judah, and the bordering tribes, 

To all posterity may stand defamed, 

With malediction mention'd, and the blot 

Of falsehood, most unconjugal, traduced. 

But in my country, where I most desire, 980 

In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath, 

I shall be named among the famousest 

Of women, sung at solemn festivals, 

Living and dead recorded ; who, to save 

Her country from a fierce destroyer, chose S$$ 

Above the faith of wedlock-bands, my tomb 

With odours visited, and annual flowers ; 

Not less renown'd than, in mount Ephraim, 

Jael, who with inhospitable guile, 

Smote Sisera, sleeping, through the temples nail'd. 99'6 

Nor shall I count it heinous, to enjoy 

The public marks of honour and reward, 

Conferr'd upon me, for the piety, 

Which, to my country, I was judged to have shown. 

At this whoever envies or repines, S§£ 

I leave ' im to his lot, and like my own. [Exit. 

Chor ': he'i gone ; a manifest serpent, by her sting, 
Discover d in tkr- end, till now conceal'd. 

Sams. So let her go ; God sent her to debase me, 
And aggravate my folly, who committed 1000 

To such a viper his most sacred trust 
Of secresy, my safety, and my life. 

Chor. Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power.. 
After offence returning, to regain 

Love once possess'd, nor can be easily 1005 

Repulsed, without much inward passion felt, 
And secret sting of amorous remorse. ) 

Sams. Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end ; 
Not wedlock- treachery endangering life, 

Chor. It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, lOld 

Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit, 
That woman's love can win, or long inherit ; 
But what it is, hard is to say, 
Harder to hit 

Which way soever men refer it, 1015 

Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day 
Or seven, though one should musing sit. 

If any of these, or all, the Timnian bride 
Had not so soon preferr'd 

%y paranymph, worthless to thee compared, A ^^ 

Successor in thy bed ; 
^or both so loosely disallied 



SAMSON AGON1STES. 



361 



Their nuptials, nor this last so treacherously 

Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head, 

Is it for that such outward ornament 1025 

Was lavish'd on their sex, that inward gifts 

Were left, for haste unfinish'd, judgment scant, 

Capacity not raised to apprehend 

Or value what is best 

In choice, but oftest to affect the wrong ? 1030 

Or was too much of self-love mix'd, 

Of constancy no root infix'd, 

That either they love nothing, or not long ? ) 

Whate'er it be, to wisest men and best, 
Seeming, at first, all heavenly, under virgin veil, 1035 

Soft, modest, meek, demure; 
Once join'd, the contrary she proves, a thorn 
Intestine, far within defensive arms, 
A cleaving mischief, in his way to virtue 
Adverse and turbulent, or, by her charms, 1040 

Draws him awry, enslaved 
With dotage, and his sense depraved 
To folly and shameful deeds, which ruin ends* 
What pilot so expert but needs must wreck, 
Imbark'd with such a steersmate at the helm? 1045 

i Favour'd of Heaven, who finds 
One virtuous, rarely found, 
That in domestic good combines : 
Happy that house ! his way to peace is smooth : 
But virtue, which breaks through all opposition, 1050 

And all temptation can remove, 
Most shines, and most is acceptable above. 

Therefore, God's universal law 
Gave to the man despotic power, 

Over his female, in due awe; 1055 

Nor from that right to part an hour, 
Smile she or lour : 
So shall he least confusion draw 
On his whole life, not sway'd 
By female usurpation, or dismay'd. 1060 

But had we best retire ? I see a storm. 

Sams. Fair days have oft contracted wind & rain. 

Chor. But this another kind of tempest brings. 

Sams. Be less abstruse, my riddling days are past. 

Chor. Look now for no enchanting voice, nor fear 1065 
The bait of honied words ; a rougher tongue 
Draws hitherward ; I know him by his stride, 
The giant Harapha of Gath ; his look 
Haughty, as is his pile high-built, and proud 



3G2 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Comes he in peace ? what wind hath blown him hither 1 070 
I less conjecture, than when first I saw 
The sumptuous Delilah floating this way : 
His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. 

Sams. Or peace, or not, alike to me he comes. 

Chor. His freight we soon shall know; he now arrives. 1075 

Enter Harapha. 

Har. I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance, 
As these, perhaps ; yet wish it had not been, 
Though for no friendly intent. I am of Gath ; 
Men call me Harapha, of stock renown'd, 
As Og, or Anak, and the Emims old, 1080 

That Kiriathaim held; thou know'st me now, 
If thou at all art known. Much I have heard 
Of thy prodigious might, and feats performed, 
Incredible to me ; in this displeased, 
That I was never present, on the place 1085 

Of those encounters, where we might have tried 
Each other's force, in camp, or listed field ; 
And now am come to see, of whom such noise 
Hath walk'd about, and each limb to survey, 
If thy appearance answer loud report. 1090 

Sams. Thy way to know, were not to see, but taste. 

Har. Dost thou already single me? I thought 
Gyves, and the mill, had tamed thee. O that fortune 
Had brought me to the field, where thou art famed 
To have wrought such wonders, with an ass's jaw ; 1095 

I should have forced thee soon, with other arms, 
Or left thy carcass where the ass lay thrown : 
So had the glory of prowess been recover'd, 
To Palestine, won by a Philistine, 
From the unforeskin'd race, of whom thou bear'st 1 100 
The highest name, for valiant acts ; that honour, 
Certain to have won, by mortal duel, from thee, 
I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out. 

Sams. Boast not of what thou would'st have done, but do 
What then thou would'st ; thou see'st it in thy hand. 1 1(J5 

Har. To combat with a blind man I disdain ; 
And thou hast need much washing, to be touch'd. 

Sams. Such usage as your honourable lords 
Afford me, assassinated and betray 'd ; 
Who durst not with their whole united powers, 1110 

In fight withstand me, single, and unarm'd, 
Nor, in the house, with chamber-ambushes 
Close-banded, durst attack me ; no, not sleeping 
Till they had hir'd a woman with their gold, 



SAMSON AGON1STES. 363 

Breaking her marriage-faith, to circumvent me. 1115 

Therefore, without feign'd shifts, let be assign'd 

Some narrow place, enclosed, where sight may give thee 

Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ; 

Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet, 

And brigantine of brass, thy broad habergeon, 1120 

Vant-brace and greves, and gauntlet; add thy spear, 

A weaver's beam, and seven-times-folded shield ; 

I only with an oaken staff will meet thee, 

And raise such outcries on thy clatter'd iron, 

Which long shall not withhold me from thy head ; 1 1 25 

That in a little time, while breath remains thee, 

Thou oft shalt wish thyself at Gath, to boast, 

Again, in safety, what thou would'st have done 

To Samson, but shalt never see Gath more. 

Har. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms, 1130 
Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 
Their ornament and safety, had not spells, 
And black enchantments,some magician's art, 
Arm'd thee, or charm'd thee strong, which thou from Heaven 
Feign'dst, at thy birth, was given thee in thy hair, 1135 
Where strength can least abide; though all thy hairs 
Were bristles, ranged like those that ridge the back 
Of chafed wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. 

Sams. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts ; 
My trust is in the living God, who gave me, 1140 

At my nativity, this strength, diffused 
No less through all my sinews, joints, and bones, 
Than thine, while I preserved these locks unshorn, 
The pledge of my un violated vow. 

For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 1145 

Go to his temple, invocate his aid, 
With solemnest devotion, spread before him, 
How highly it concerns his glory now, 
To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells, 
Which I to be the power of Israel's God 1150 

Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test; 
Offering to combat thee, his champion bold, 
With the utmost of his godhead seconded : 
Then thou shalt see, or rather, to thy sorrow, 
Soon feel, whose god is strongest, thine or mine. 1155 

Har. Presume not on thy God ; whate'er he be ; 
Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off 
Quite from his people, and deliver'd up 
Into thy enemies' hand ; permitted them 
To put out both thine eyes ; and, fetter'd, send thee 1 160 

Into the common prison, there to grind 



364 SAMSON AGON1STES. 

Among the slaves and asses, thy comrades, 

As good for nothing else, no better service, 

With those thy boisterous locks, no worthy match 

For valour to assail, nor by the sword 1165 

Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, 

But by the barber's razor best subdued. 

Sams. All these indignities, for such they are, 
From thine, these evils I deserve, and more ; 
Acknowledge them, from God., inflicted on me 1170 

Justly ; yet despair not of his final pardon, 
Whose ear is ever open, and his eye 
Gracious, to re-admit the suppliant : 
In confidence whereof, I, once again, 
Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight, 1175 

By combat to decide whose god is God, 
Thine, or whom I, with Israel's sons, adore. 

Har. Fair honour that thou dost thy God, in trusting 
He will accept thee, to defend his cause, 
A murderer, a revolter, and a robber ! [me these? 1180 

Sams. Tongue-doughty giant, how dost thou prove 

Har. Is not thy nation subject to our lords ? 
Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee, 
As a league-breaker, and deliver'd, bound, 
Into our hands : for hadst thou not committed 21 85 

Notorious murder, on those thirty men 
At Ascalon, who never did thee harm ; 
Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes ? 
The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, 
Went up with armed powers, thee only seeking, 1190 

To others did no violence nor spoil. 

Sams. Among the daughters of the Philistines 
I chose a wife, which argued me no foe; 
And in your city held my nuptial feast : 
But your ill-meaning politician lords, 1195 

Under pretence of bridal friends and guests, 
Appointed to await me thirty spies, 
Who, threatening cruel death, constraint the bride 
To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, 
That solv'd the riddle, which I had proposed. 1200 

When I perceiv'd all set on enmity, 
As on my enemies, wherever chanced, 
I used hostility, and took their spoil, 
To pay my underminers in their coin. 
My nation was subjected to your lords. 1205 

It was the force of conquest ; force with force 
Is well ejected, when the conquer'd can 
But I, a private person, whom my country. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



365 



As a league-breaker, gave up, bound, presumed 

Single rebellion, and did hostile acts. 1210 

I was no private, but a person raised 

With strength sufficient, & command from Heaven, 

To free my country; if their servile minds 

Me, their deliverer sent, would not receive, 

But to their masters gave me up for naught, 1215 

The unworthier they ; whence to this day they serve. 

I was to do my part, from Heaven assign'd, 

And had perform'd it, if my known offence 

Had not disabled me ; not all your force : 

These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, 1220 

Though by his blindness maim'd, for high attempts, 

Who now defies thee thrice to single fight, 

As a petty enterprise of small enforce. 

Har. With thee, a man condemn'd, a slave enroll'd, 
Due by the law to capital punishment? 1225 

To fight with thee, no man of arms will deign. 

Sams. Camest thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me 
To descant on my strength, & give thy verdict ? 
Come nearer ; part not hence so slight inform'd ; 
But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 1 230 

Har. Baal-zebub ! can my ears, unused, 
Hear these dishonours, and not render death ? 

Sams. No man withholds thee ; nothing from thy hand 
Fear I incurable ; bring up thy van ; 
My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free. 1235 

Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits. 

Sams. Go, baffled coward, lest I run upon thee, 
Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast ; 
And with one buffet, lay thy structure low, 
Or swing thee in the air ; then dash thee down, 1240 

To the hazard of thy brains, & shatter'd sides. 

Har. By Astaroth, ere long, thou shalt lament 
These braveries, in irons loaden on thee. [Exit. 

Chor. His giantship is gone, somewhat crest-fallen, 
Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 1245 

And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. 

Sams. I dread him not, nor all his giant-brood, 
Though fame divulge him father of five sons, 
All of gigantic size, Goliah chief. 

Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 

And with malicious counsel, stir them up, 
Some way or other, yet further to afflict thee. 

Sams. He must allege some cause, and offer'd fight 
Will not dare mention, lest a question rise, 
Whether he durst accept the offer, or not; 1255 



366 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

And, that he durst not, plain enough appeaWd. 

Much more affliction, than already felt, 

They cannot well impose, nor I sustain ; 

If they intend advantage of my labours, 

The work of many hands, which earns my keeping, 1 260 

With no small profit daily to my owners. 

But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove 

My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence ; 

The worst that he can give, to me the best. 

Yet so it may fall out, because their end 1265 

Is hate, not help to me ; it may with mine 

Draw their own ruin, who attempt the deed. 

Chor. Oh how comely it is, & how reviving, 
To the spirits of just men long oppress'd ; 
When God, into the hands of their deliverer, 1270 

Puts invincible might, 

To quell the mighty of the earth, the oppressor, 
The brute and boisterous force of violent men, 
Hardy and industrious to support 

Tyrannic power ; but raging to pursue 1275 

The righteous, and all such as honour truth ; 
He, all their ammunition, 
And feats of war defeats, 
With plain heroic magnitude of mind, 

And celestial vigour, arm'd; 1280 

Their armouries and magazines contemns, 
Renders them useless, while, 
With winged expedition, 
Swift as the lightning glance, he executes 
His errand on the wicked, who, surprised, 1285 

Lose their defence, distracted and amazed. 

But patience is more oft the exercise 
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude ; 
Making them each his own deliverer, 
And victor over all 1290 

That tyranny, or fortune, can inflict. 
Either of these is in thy lot, 
Samson, with might endued, 
Above the sons of men ; but sight bereaved 
May chance to number thee with those, 1295 

Whom patience finally must crown. 

This idol's day hath been, to thee, no day of rest 
Labouring thy mind 

More, than the working day thy hands. 
And yet, perhaps, more trouble is behind ; \ 300 

For I descry this way 
Some other tending, in his hand, 



SAMSON AGONISTRS. 3G7 

A sceptre or quaint staff he bears, 

Comes on amain, speed in his look. 

By his habit I discern him now 1305 

A public officer, and now at hand. 

His message will be short and voluble. 

Enter Officer. 

Off. Hebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. 

Chor. His manacles remark him ; there he sits. 

Off. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say ; 1310 

This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, 
With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games; 
Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, 
And now some public proof thereof require, 
To honour this great feast, and great assembly; 1315 

Rise therefore, with all speed, and come along, 
Where I will see thee hearten'd, and fresh clad, 
To appear, as fits, before the illustrious lords. 

Sams. Thou know'st I am an Hebrew ; therefore tell them, 
Our law forbids, at their religious rites, 1320 

My presence ; for that cause I cannot come. 

Off. This answer, be assur'd, will not content them. 

Sams. Have they not sword-play ers, and every sort 
Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners, 
Jugglers, and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, 1325 

But they must pick me out, with shackles tired, 
And over-labour'd at their public mill, 
To make them sport, with blind activity? 
Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels, 
On my refusal, to distress me more, 1330 

Or make a game of my calamities? 
Return the way thou earnest ; I will not come. 

Off. Regard thyself; this will offend them highly. 

Sams. Myself? my conscience and internal peace. 
Can they think me so broken, so debased, 1335 

With corporal servitude, that my mind ever 
Will condescend to such absurd commands? 
Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester, 
And in my midst of sorrow and heart-grief, 
To show them feats, and play before their god, 1340 

The worst of all indignities, yet on me 
Joined with extreme contempt? I will not come. 

Off. My message was imposed on me with speed, 
Brooks no delay: is this thy resolution? 

Sams. So take it, with what speed thy message needs. 1 345 

Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. [Exit. 

Sams. ¥er\mr? thou shalthave cause to sorrow indeed. 



368 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Ckor. Consider, Samson; matters now are strain'd, 
Up to the highth, whether to hold or break : 
He's gone ; and who knows how he may report 1350 

Thy words, by adding fuel to the flame ? 
Expect another message, more imperious, 
More lordly thundering, than thou well wilt bear. 

Sams. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift 
Of strength, again returning with my hair, 1355 

After my great transgression ; so requite 
Favour renew'd, and add a greater sin, 
By prostituting holy things to idols ; 
A Nazarite in place abominable, 

Vaunting my strength, in honour to their Dagon ? 1 3 60 

Besides, how vile, contemptible, ridiculous, 
What act more execrably unclean, profane ? 

Chor. Yet with this strength thou servest the Philistines, 
Idolatrous, uncircumcised, unclean. 

Sams. Not in their idol- worship, but by labour, 1365 

Honest and lawful, to deserve my food 
Of those, who have me in their civil power. 

Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward acts defile not. 

Sams. Where out ward force constrains, the sentence holds, 
But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, 1370 

Not dragging? The Philistian lords command. 
Commands are no constraints.^ If I obey them, 
I do it freely, venturing to displease 
God, for the fear of man, and man prefer, 
Set God. behind: which, in his jealousy, 1.' J .75 

Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. 
Yet that he may dispense with me, or thee, 
Present in temples, at idolatrous rites, 
For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. 

Chor. How thou wilt comeoffhere, surmounts my reach. 

Sams. Be of good courage ; I begin to feel 
Some rousing motions in me, which dispose, 
To something extraordinary, my thoughts. 
I with this messenger will go along, 
Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour, 1385 

Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite. 
If there be aught of presage in the mind, 
This day will be remarkable in my life, 
By some great act, or of my days the last. 

Chor. In time thou hast resolved , the man returns. 1 390 

Off. Samson, this second message from our lords 
To thee I am bid say. Art thou our slave, 
Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, 
jlnd darest thou at our sending and command, 



SAMSON AGON1STES. 003 

Dispute thy coming? come without delay; 1395 

Or we shall find such engines to assail 
And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, 
Though thou wert firmlier fasten'd than a rock. 

Sams. I could be well content to try their art, 
Which, to no few of them, would prove pernicious. 1400 
Yet knowing their advantages too many, 
Because they shall not trail me, through their streets, 
Like a wild beast, I am content to go. 
Masters' commands come, with a power resistless, 
To such as owe them absolute subjection ; 1405 

And, for a life, who will not change his purpose ? 
I So mutable are all the ways of men ; 
Yet this be sure, is nothing to comply 
Scandalous, or forbidden in our law. 

Off. I praise thy resolution : doff these links : 1410 

By this compliance, thou wilt win the lords 
To favour, and, perhaps, to set thee free. 

Savis. Brethren, farewell ; your company, along, 
I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them, 
To see me girt with friends ; and how the sight 1415 

Of me, as of a common enemy, 
So dreaded once, may now exasperate them, 
I know not : lords are lordliest in their wine ; 
And the well-feasted priest then soonest fired 
With zeal, if aught religion seem concern 'd ; 1420 

No less the people on their holy-days, 
Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : 
Happen what may, of me expect to hear 
Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 
Our God, our law, my nation, or myself; 1425 

The last of me, or no, I cannot warrant. 

Chor. Go, and the Holy One 
Of Israel be thy guide, 

To what may serve his glory best, & spread his name, 
Great among the Heathen round ; 1430 

Send thee the angel of thy birth, to stand 
Fast by thy side, who, from thy father's field, 
Rode up in flames, after his message told 
Of thy conception, and be now a shield 
Of fire; that spirit, that first rushed on thee 1435 

In the camp of Dan, 
Be efficacious in thee now at need. 
For never was from Heaven imparted 
Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, 
As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. — 1440 

But wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste, 



370 SAMSON AGON1STES. 

With youthful steps? much livelier than ere while 
He seems ; supposing here to find his son, 
Or of him bringing to us some glad news ? 

Enter Manoah. 

Man. Peace with you, brethren ; my inducement J445 
Was not at present here to find my son, [hither 
By order of the lords now parted hence, 
To come and play before them at their feast. 
I heard all as I came ; the city rings, 
And numbers thither flock : I had no will, 1 450 

Lest I should see him forced to things unseemly, 
But that which moved my coming now, was chiefly 
To give ye part with me what hope I have, 
With good success, to work his liberty. 

Chor. That hope would much rejoice us to partake 1 455 
With thee ; say, reverend sire, we thirst to hear. 

Man. I have attempted one by one the lords, 
Either at home, or through the high street passing, 
With supplication prone, and father s tears, 
To accept of ransom for my son, their prisoner. 1460 

Some much averse I found, and wondrous harsh, 
Contemptuous, proud, set on revenge and spite ; 
That part most reverenced Dagon and his priests : 
Others more moderate seeming, but their aim 
Private reward, for which both God & state 1465 

They easily would set to sale : a third, 
More generous far and civil, who confess'd 
They had enough revenged, having reduced 
Their foe to misery, beneath their fears ; 
The rest was magnanimity to remit, 1470 

If some convenient ransom were proposed. — 
What noise or shout was that ? it tore the sky. 

Chor. Doubtless the people shouting, to behold 
Their once great dread, captive, & blind before them 
Or at some proof of strength, before them shown. 1475 

Man. His ransom, if my whole inheritance 
May compass it, shall willingly be paid, 
And number'd down : much rather I shall choose 
To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, 
And he in that calamitous prison left. 1480 

No ; I am fix'd not to part hence without him. 
For his redemption, all my patrimony, 
If need be, I am ready to forego 
And quit : not wanting him, I shall want nothing. 

Chor. Fathers are wont to lay up for their sons ; 1485 

Thou for thy son are bent to lay out all ; 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



371 



Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age ; 
Thou in old age, carest how to nurse thy son, 
Made older than thy age through eye-sight lost. 

Man. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 1490 

And view him, sitting in the house, ennobled, 
With all those high exploits, by him achieved, 
And, on his shoulders, waving down those locks, 
That of a nation arm'd, the strength contain'd : 
And I persuade me, God had not permitted 1495 

His strength again to grow up with his hair, 
Garrison'd, round about him, like a camp 
Of faithful soldiery, were not his purpose 
To use him further yet, in some great service ; 
Not to sit idle with so great a gift, 1500 

Useless, and thence ridiculous, about him. 
And, since his strength with eye-sight was not lost, 
God will restore him eye-sight to his strength. 

Chor. Thy hopes are not ill-founded, nor seem vain 
Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 1505 

Conceived, agreeable to a father's love, 
In both which we, as next, participate. 

Man. I know your friendly minds & — O what noise ! 
Mercy of Heaven, what hideous noise was that ! 
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 1510 

Chor. Noise call you it, or universal groan, 
As if the whole inhabitation perish'd ! 
Blood, death, & deathful deeds, are in that noise ; 
Ruin, destruction, at the utmost point. 

Man. Of ruin indeed, methought, I heard the noise; 1515 
Oh it continues ; they have slain my son. 

Chor. Thy son is rather slaying them ; that outcry, 
From slaughter of one foe, could not ascend. 

Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be ; 
What shall we do ; stay here, or run and see ? 1520 

Chor. Best keep together here, lest, running thither. 
We unawares run into danger's mouth. 
This evil on the Philistines is fall'n ; 
From whom could else a general cry be heard ? 
The sufferers then will scarce molest us here ; 1525 

From other hands we need not much to fear. 
What if his eye- sight, for to Israel's God 
Nothing is hard, by miracle restored, 
He now be dealing dole among his foes, 
And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way ? 1530 

Man. That were a joy presumptuous to be thought. 

Chor. Yet God had wrought things as incredible, 
For his people of old ; what hinders now ? 

2b5 



372 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Man. He can, I know, but doubt to think be will ; 
Yet hope would fain subscribe, & tempts belief. 1535 

A little stay will bring some notice hither. 

Chor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner ; 
For evil news rides post, while good news baits. 
And, to our wish, I see one hither speeding, 
An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 1540 

Enter Messenger. 

Mess. whither shall I run, or which way fly 
The sight of this so horrid spectacle, 
Which erst my eyes beheld, and yet behold ? 
For dire imagination still pursues me. 
But providence, or instinct of nature, seems, 1545 

Or reason though disturb'd, & scarce consulted, 
To have guided me aright, I know not how, 
To thee first, reverend Manoah, and to these 
My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, 
As at some distance from the place of horror, J 550 

So, in the sad event, too much concern'd. 

Man. The accident was loud, & here, before thee, 
With rueful cry ; yet what it was we hear not ; 
No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. 

Mess. It would burst forth, but I recover breath. 1555 

And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 

Man. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 

Mess. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fall'n ; 
All in a moment overwhelm'd and fall'n. 

Man. Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not saddest, 1560 
The desolation of a hostile city. 

Mess. Feed on that first; there may in grief be surfeit. 

Man. Relate by whom. 

Mess. By Samson. 

Man. That still lessens 1565 

The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. 

Mess. Ah Manoah, I refrain too suddenly 
To utter, what will come at last too soon, 
Lest evil tidings, with too rude irruption, 
Hitting thy aged ear, should pierce too deep. 1570 

Man, Suspense in news is torture; speak them out. 

Mess. Take then the worst in brief, Samson is dead. 

Man. The worst indeed; O all my hopes defeated 
To free him hence ! but death who sets all free, 
Hath paid his ransom now, and full discharge. 1575 

What windy joy this day had I conceived, 
Hopeful of his delivery, which now proves 
Abortive, as the first-born bloom of spring 



SAMSON AGONISTBS. 373 

Nipp'd with the lagging rear of winter's frost ! 

Yet ere I give the reins of grief, say first, 158^ 

How died he; death to life is crown or shame. 

All by him fell, thou say'st ; by whom fell he ; 

What glorious hand gave Samson his death's wound? 

Mess. Un wounded of his enemies he fell. 

Man. Wearied with slaughter then, or how? explain. 

Mess. By his own hands. 

Man. Self-violence? what cause 
Brought him so soon at variance with himself, 
Among his foes ? 

Mess. Inevitable cause, 1590 

At once both to destroy, and be destroy'd : 
The edifice, where all were met to see him, 
Upon their heads, and on his own, he pull'd. 

Man. O lastly over-strong against thyself! 
A dreadful way thou took'st to thy revenge. 1595 

More than enough we know ; but while things yet 
Are in confusion, give us, if thou canst, 
Eye-witness of what first, or last was done, 
Relation more particular and distinct. 

Mess. Occasions drew me early to this city ; 1600 

And as the gates I enter'd, with sun-rise, 
The morning trumpets festival proclaim'd, 
Through each high-street : little I had dispatch'd, 
When all abroad was rumour'd, that this day 
Samson should be brought forth, to show the people 1 605 

Proof of his mighty strength, in feats and games ; 
I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded 
Not to be absent at that spectacle. 
The building was a spacious theatre, 
Half-round, on two main pillars, vaulted high, I6i0 

With seats where all the lords, & each degree 
Of sort, might sit in order to behold; 
The other side was open, where the throng 
On banks and scaffolds, under sky, might stand ; 
I among these aloof obscurely stood. 1615 

The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 
Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high cheer, & wine. 
When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately 
Was Samson, as a public servant, brought, 
In their state livery clad ; before him pipes 1 620 

And timbrels, on each side went armed guards, 
Both horse and foot, before him and behind 
Archers, and slingers, cataphracts and spears. 
At sight of him the people, with a shout, 
Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise, 1 625 ( 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Who had made their dreadful enemy their thrall. 
He patient, but undaunted where they led him, 
Came to the place, and what was set before him, 
Which, without help of eye, might be assay 'd, 
To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd, 1630 
All with incredible, stupendous force, 
None daring to appear antagonist. 
At length, for intermission sake, they led him 
Between the pillars ; he his guide requested, 
For so from such as nearer stood we heard, 1 635 

As over-tir'd, to let him lean a while, 
With both his arms, on those two massy pillars, 
That to the arched roof gave main support. 
He, unsuspicious, led him ; which when Samson 
Felt in his arms, with head a while inclined, 1640 

And eyes fast fix'd, he stood, as one who pray'd, 
Or some great matter in his mind revolved: 
At last, with head erect, thus cried aloud. 
" Hitherto, lords, what your commands imposed 
I have perform'd, as reason was, obeying, 1645 

Not without wonder or delight beheld : 
Now, of my own accord, such other trial 
I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater ; 
As, with amaze, shall strike all who behold." 
This utter'd, straining all his nerves, he bow'd, 1650 

As with the force of winds and waters pent, 
When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars, 
With horrible convulsion to and fro, 
He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came, & drew 
The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder, 1655 

Upon the heads of all who sat beneath, 
Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, 
Their choice nobility and flower, not only 
Of this, but each Philistian city round, 
Met from all parts to solemnize this feast. 1660 

Samson, with these immix'd, inevitably 
Pull'd down the same destruction on himself; 
The vulgar only 'scaped who stood without. 
Chor. O dearly bought revenge, yet glorious 
Living or dying thou hast fulfill'd 3665 

The work, for which thou wast foretold 
To Israel; and now lycst victorious, 
Among thy slain, self-kill'd, 
Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 
Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoin'd 1670 

Thee with thy slaughter'd foes, in number more 
Than all thy life hath slain before. 



SAMSON AGON1STES. 3/5 

1 Scmichor. While their hearts were jocund & sublime, 
Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine 

And fat, regorged of bulls and goats, \675 

Chaunting their idol, and preferring 

Before our living Dread, who dwells 

In Silo, his bright sanctuary : 

Among them he a spirit of phrenzy sent, 

Who hurt their minds, 1680 

And urged them on, with mad desire, 

To call in haste for their destroyer : 

They, only set on sport and play, 

Unweetingly importuned 

Their own destruction to come speedy upon them 1 685 

So fond are mortal men, 

FalPn into wrath divine, 

As their own ruin on themselves to invite ; 

Insensate left, or to sense reprobate, 

And with blindness internal struck. 1690 

2 Semichor. But he, though blind of sight, 
Despised and thought extinguished quite, 
With inward eyes illuminated, 

His fiery virtue roused, 

From under ashes, into sudden flame, \6d* 

And, as an evening dragon, came 
Assailant on the perched roosts, 
And nests, in-order ranged, 
Of tame villatic fowl ; but, as an eagle, 
H*s cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. 1 700 

So virtue given for lost, 
Depress'd, and overthrown, as seem'd, 
I Like that self-begotten bird, 
In the Arabian woods emboss'd, 

That no second knows, nor third, 1705 

And lay ere while a holocaust, 
From out her ashy womb now teem'd, 
Revives, reflourishes, then vigorous most 
When most un active deem'd ; 

And, though her body die, her fame survives, 1710 

A secular bird, ages of lives. 

Man. Come, come, no time for lamentation now, 
Nor much more cause ; Samson hath quit himself 
Like Samson, and heroically hath nnish'd 
A life heroic, on his enemies 1 715 

Fully reveng'd, hath left them years of mourning 
And lamentation to the sons of Caphtor, 
Through all Philistian bounds; to Israel 
Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 



376 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Find courage to ky hold on this occasion ; 1720 

To himself and father's house eternal fame ; 
And, which is best and happiest yet, all this 
With God not parted from him, as was fear'd, 
But favouring and assisting to the end. 
Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail, 1725 

Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt, 
Dispraise, or blame, nothing but well and fair, 
And what may quiet us in a death so noble 
Let us go find the body where it lies, 
Soak'd in his enemies' blood, &, from the stream, 1730 

With lavers pure and cleansing herbs, wash off 
The clotted gore. I, with what speed the while, 
Gaza is not in plight to say us nay, 
Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 
To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, u3$ 

With silent obsequy and funeral train, 
Home to his father's house : there will I build him 
A monument, and plant it round with shade 
Of laurel, ever green, and branching palm, 
With all his trophies hung, and acts enroll'd, \i4Q 

In copious legend, or sweet lyric song. 
Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, 
And, from his memory, inflame their breasts 
To matchless valour, and adventures high : 
The virgins also shall, on feastful days, 1745 

Visit his tomb with flowers ; only bewailing 
His lot unfortunate, in nuptial choice, 
From whence captivity and loss of eyes. 
Chor. All is best, though we oft doubt, 
What the unsearchable dispose 1750 

Of highest Wisdom brings about, 
And ever best found in the close. 
Oft he seems to hide his face, 
But unexpectedly returns, 

And to his faithful champion, hath in place *' 56 

Bore witness gloriously ; whence Gaza mourns, 
And all that band them to resist 
His uncontrollable intent ; 
His servants he, with new acquist 

Of true experience, from this great event, 1760 

With peace & consolation hath dismiss'd, 
And, calm of mind, all passion spent. 



THE END OF SAMSON AGONISTKS. 



COMUS. 

A MASK, 

PRESENTED AT LUDLOW CASTLE, 1634. 
BEFORE 

JOHN, EARL OF BRIDGEWATER, 

THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES. 



TO THE RIGHT HONOUR A BLE* 

JOHN, LORD VISCOUNT BRACKLY,1 

Son and Heir Apparent to the Earl of Bridgewater, 

$c. 

My Lord, 
This Poem, which received its first occasion of birth 
from yourself and others of your noble family, and 
much honour from your own person in the perform- 
ance, now returns again to make a final Dedication 
of itself to you. Although not openly acknowledged 
by the Author,}: yet it is a legitimate offspring, so 
lovely and so much desired, that the often copying 
of it hath tired my pen to give my several friends 
satisfaction, and brought me to a necessity of pro- 
ducing it to the public view ; and now to offer it up 
in all rightful devotion to those fair hopes, and rare 
endowments of your much promising youth, which 
give a full assurance, to all that know you, of a future 
excellence. Live, sweet Lord, to be the honour of 
your name, and receive this as your own, from the 
hands of him who hath by many favours been long 
obliged to your most honoured parents, and as in 
this representation your attendant Thyrsis, so now in 
all real expression, 

Your faithful and most humble servant, 

H. LA WES. 



* This is the dedication to Lawes's edition of the Mask, 1637, 

•t The First Brother in the Mask. Warton. 

t It never appeared under Milton's name till the year \S4it. 



COMTJS. 



THE PERSONS. 

The Attendant Spirit,. The Lady. 

afterwards in the habit First brother. 

of Thyrsis. Second Brother. 

Comus, with his Crew. Sabrina, the Nymph. 

TflE CHIEF PERSONS, WHO PRESENTED, WERE 

The Lord Brackley. 

Mr. Thomas Egerton, his brother. 

The Lady Alice Egerton. 



COMUS. 

The first scene discovers a wild wood. 
The Attendant Spirit descends or enters. 

Before the starry threshold of Jove's court 
My mansion is, where those immortal shapes 
Of bright aerial spirits live insphered, 
In regions mild of calm and serene air, 
Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, 
Which men call Earth, & with low-though ted care 
Confined, and, pester'd in this pinfold here, 
Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being, 
Unmindful of the crown that virtue gives, 
After this mortal change, to her true servants, 
Amongst the enthroned gods on sainted seats. 
Yet some there be, that by due steps aspire 
To lay their just hands on that golden key. 
That opes the palace of eternity : 
To such my errand is ; and but for such, 
I would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds 
With the rank vapours of this sin-worn mould. 

But to my task. Neptune, besides the sway 
Of every salt flood, and each ebbing stream, 
Took in by lot, 'twixt high and nether Jove, 
Imperial rule of all the sea-girt isles, 
That, like to rich and various gems, inlay 
The unadorned bosom of the deep ; 
Which he, to grace his tributary gods, 
By course commits to several government, 
And gives them leave to wear their sapphire crowns, 
And wield their little tridents ; but this isle, 
The greatest and the best of all the main, 
He quarters to his blue-haired deities; 
And all this tract, that fronts the falling sun, 
A noble peer, of mickle trust and power, 
Has in his charge, with temper'd awe, to guide 
An old and haughty nation, proud in arms : 
Where his fair offspring, nursed in princely lore, 



384 comus. 

Are coming to attend their father's state, 
And new-entrusted sceptre : but their way 
Lies through the perplex'd paths of this drear wood, 
The nodding horror of whose shady brows 
Threats the forlorn and wandering passenger ; 
And here their tender age might suffer peril, 
But that by quick command from sovereign Jove, 
I was despatch' d for their defence and guard : 
And listen why, for I will tell you now, 
What never yet was heard in tale or song, 
From old or modern bard, in hall or bower. 

Bacchus, that first, from out the purple grape, 
Crush'cl the sweet poison of misused wine, 
After the Tuscan mariners transform'd, 
Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the winds listed, 
On Circe's island fell : who knows not Circe, 
The daughter of the Sun ? whose charmed cup 
Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape, 
And downward fell, into a groveling swine ? 
This Nymph, that gaz'd upon his clustering locks, 
With ivy berries wreath'd, and his blithe youth, 
Had by him, ere he parted thence, a son, 
Much like his father, but his mother more, 
Whom therefore she brought up, & Comus named : 
Who, ripe, and frolic of his full-grown age, 
Roving the Celtic and Iberian fields, - 
At last betakes him to this ominous wood, 
And, in thick shelter of black shades imbower'd, 
Excels his mother, at her mighty art, 
Offering, to every weary traveller, 
His orient liquor, in a crystal glass, [taste, 
To quench the drouth of Phoebus ; which as they 
For most do taste through fond intemperate thirst, 
Soon as the potion works, their human countenance, 
The express resemblance of the gods, is changed, 
Into some brutish form, of wolf, or bear, 
Or ounce, or tiger, hog, or bearded goat, 
All other parts remaining as they were ; 
And they, so perfect is their misery, 
Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, 
But boast themselves more comely than before ; 
And all their friends and native home forget, 
To roll with pleasure in a sensual sty. 
Therefore, when any, favour'd of high Jove, 
Chances to pass through this adventurous glade 
Swift, as the sparkle of a glancing star, 
I shoot from Heaven, to give him safe convoy, 



comus. 386 

As now I do : but first I must put ofT 
These my sky-robes, spun out of Iris' woof, 
And take the weeds, and likeness, of a swain, 
That to the service of this house belongs, 
Who, with his soft pipe, and smooth -dittied song 1 , 
Well knows to still the wild winds when they roar, 
And hush the waving woods ; nor of less faith : 
And in this office of his mountain watch, 
Likeliest, and nearest, to the present aid 
Of this occasion. But I hear the tread 
Of hateful steps ; I must be viewless now. 
Comxjs enters, with a charming-rod in one hand, his 
glass in the other ; with him a rout of monsters, 
headed like sundry sorts of wild beasts, but other- 
wise like men and women, their apparel glistering ,■ 
they come in making a riotous and unruly noise, 
with torches in their hands. 



The star that bids the shepherd fold, 
Now the top of Heaven doth hold : 
And the gilded car of day 
His glowing axle doth allay, 
In the steep Atlantic stream ; 
And the slope Sun his upward beam 
Shoots against the dusky pole, 
Pacing toward the other goal 
Of his chamber in the East. 
Meanwhile welcome Joy, and Feast, 
Midnight Shout, and Revelry, 
Tipsy Dance, and Jollity. 
Braid your locks with rosy twine, 
Dropping odours, dropping wine. 
Rigour now is gone to bed, 
And Advice, with scrupulous head. 
Strict Age, and sour Severity, 
With their grave saws, in slumber lie. 
We, that are of purer fire, 
Imitate the starry quire, 
Who, in their nightly watchful spheres, 
Lead, in swift round, the months and years. 
The sounds and seas, with all their finny drove, 
Now to the moon in wavering morrice move ; 
And, on the tawny sands, and shelves, 
Trip the pert fairies and the dapper elves. 
By dimpled brook, and fountain brim, 



386 comus. 

The wood-nymphs, deck'd with daisies trim, 

Their merry wakes and pastimes keep ; 

What hath night to do with sleep? 

Night hath better sweets to prove ; 

Venus now wakes, and wakens Love, 

Come, let us our rites begin ; 

Tis only daylight that makes sin, 

Which these dun shades will ne'er report. 

Hail, Goddess of nocturnal sport, 

Dark-veil'd Cotytjo, to whom the secret flame 

Of midnight torches burns ; mysterious dame, 

That ne'er art call'd, but when the dragon womb 

Of Stygian darkness spets her thickest gloom, 

And makes one blot of all the air; 

Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, 

Wherein thou rid'st with Hecat, and befriend 

Us, thy vow'd priests, till utmost end 

Of all thy dues be done, and none left out ; 

Ere the blabbing eastern scout, 

The nice morn, on the Indian steep, 

From her cabin'd loophole peep, 

And to the tell-tale Sun descry 

Our conceal'd solemnity. 

Come, knit hands, and beat the ground 

In a light fantastic round. 

THE MEASURE 

Break off, break off, I feel the different pace 
Of some chaste footing, near about this ground. 
Run to your shrouds, within these brakes & trees ; 
Our number may affright : some virgin sure, 
For so I can distinguish by mine art, 
Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 
And to my wily trains ; I shall, ere long, 
Be well-stock'd with as fair a herd as grazed 
About my mother Circe. Thus I hurl 
My dazzling spells into the spungy air, 
Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion, 
4nd give it false presentments, lest the place, 
/\nd my quaint habits, breed astonishment, 
And put the damsel to suspicious flight ; 
Which must not be, for that's against my course : 
(I, under fair pretence of friendly ends, 
And well-placed words of glozing courtesy 
Baited with reasons not unplausible, 
Wind me into the easy-hearted man, 
And hug him into snares^ When once her eye 



com us, 3B7 

Hath met the virtue of this magic dust, 
I shall appear some harmless village, 
Whom thrift keeps up about his country gear. 
But here she comes ; I fairly step aside, 
And hearken, if I may, her business here. 

The lady enters. 

This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, 
My best guide now. Methought it was the sound 
Of riot, and ill-managed merriment, 
Such as the jocund flute, or gamesome pipe, 
Stirs up among the loose unletter'd hinds, 
When, for their teeming flocks, and granges full 
In wanton dance, they praise the bounteous Pan^ 
And thank the gods amiss. I should be loth 
To meet the rudeness, and swill'd insolence 
Of such late wassailers ; yet O, where else 
Shall I inform my unacquainted feet, 
Li the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 
My brothers, when they saw me wearied out, 
With this long way, resolving here to lodge 
Under the spreading favour of these pines, 
Stepp'd, as they said, to the next thicket-side, 
To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit 
As the kind hospitable woods provide. 
They left me then, when the gray -hooded Even, 
Like a sad votarist in palmer 's*weed, 
Rose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus' wain. 
But where they are, and why they came not back 
Is now the labour of my thoughts ; 'tis likeliest 
They had engaged their wandering steps too far, 
And envious darkness, ere they could return, 
Had stole them from me : else, O thievish Night, 
Why shouldst thou, but for some felonious end, 
In thy dark lantern, thus close up (the stars 
That Nature hung in Heaven, &nU'd their lamps. 
With everlasting oil, to give due light 
To the misled and lonely traveller?) 
This is the place, as well as I may guess, 
Whence, even now, the tumult of loud mirth 
Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear, 
Yet nought but single darkness do I find. 
What might this be ? (A thousand fantasies 
Begin to throng into my memory, 
Of calling shapes, and beckoning shadows dire* 
And airy tongues, that syllable men's names 
On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses.*) 



388 



These thoughts may startle well, but not astound 
The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended 
By a strong-siding champion, conscience. 

welcome pure-ey'd Faith, white handed Hope, 
Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings, 
And thou, unblemish'd form of Chastity ! 

1 see ye visibly, and now believe 

That He, the Supreme Good, to whom all things ill 
Are but as slavish officers of vengeance, 
Would send a glistering guardian, if need were, 
To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 
Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud 
Turn forth her silver lining on the night? 
I did not err : there does a sable cloud 
Turn forth her silver lining on the night, 
And casts a gleam over this tufted grove. 
I cannot halloo to my brothers, but 
Such noise as I can make, to be heard farthest, 
I'll venture ; for my new-enliven'd spirits 
Prompt me ; and they, perhaps, are not far off. 



Sweet Echo, sweetest Nymph, that livest unseen 
Within thy airy shell, 
By slow meander's margin green, 
And in the violet-embroider'd vale, 

Where the love-lorn nightingale, 
Nightly to thee, her sad song mourneth well ; 
Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair, 
That likest thy Narcissus are ? 
O, if thou have 
Hid them in some flowery cave, 
Tell me but where, 
Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere ! 
So may'st thou be translated to the skies, 
And give resounding grace to all Heaven's harmonies. 

Enter Comus. 

Comus. Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould 
Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment ? 
Sure something holy lodges in that breast, 
And with these raptures, moves the vocal air 
To testify his hidden residence : 
How sweetly did they float upon the wings 
Of silence, through the empty-vaulted Night, 
At every fall smoothing the raven-down 
Of darkness, till it smil'd ! I have oft heard 



com us. 389 

My mother Circe, with the Syrens three, 
Amidst the flowery-kirtled Naiades, 
Culling their potent herbs, and baleful drugs, 
Who, as they sung, would take the prison'd soul, 
And lap it in Elysium : Scylla wept, 
And chid her barking waves into attention 
And fell Charybdis murmured soft applause : 
Yet they in pleasing slumber, lull'd the sense, 
And in sweet madness, robb'd it of itself J 
But such a sacred and home-felt delight, 
Such sober certainty of waking bliss, 
I never heard till now. — I'll speak to her, 
And she shall be my queen. — Hail, foreign wonder 
Whom, certain, these rough shades did never breed, 
Unless the goddess, that in rural shrine, 
DwelFst here with Pan, or Sylvan, by bless'd song 
Forbidding every bleak unkindly fog 
To touch the prosperous growth of this tall wood. 

Lad. Nay, gentle shepherd, ill is lost that praise 
That is address'd to unattending ears; 
Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift, 
How to regain my sever 'd company, 
Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo, 
To give me answer from her mossy couch. 

Com. What chance, good lady, hath bereft you thus ? 

Lad. Dim darkness, and this leafy labyrinth. 

Com. Could that divide you from near-ushering 

Lad. They left me weary on a grassy turf, [guides? 

Com. By falsehood, or discourtesy, or why ? 

Lad. To seek in the valley, some cool friendly spring. 

Com. And left your fair side all unguarded, lady ? 

Lad.They were but twain,and purposed quick return. 

Com. Perhaps, forestalling night prevented them. 

Lad. How easy my misfortune is to hit! 

Com. Imports their loss, beside the present need ? 

Lad. No less than if I should my brothers lose. 

Com. Were they of manly prime, or youthful bloom 

Lad. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. 

Com. Two such I saw, what time the labour'd ox, 
In his loose traces, from the furrow came, 
And the swink'd hedger at his supper sat; 
I saw them under a green mantling vine, 
That crawls along the side of yon small hill, 
Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; 
Their port was more than human, as they stood : 
( I took it for a fairy vision 
Of some gay creatures of the element, 



390 COM us. 

That in the colours of the rainbow live, 
And play in the plighted clouds.^ I was awestruck, 
And, as 1 pass'd, I worshipp'd; if those you seek 
It were a journey like the path to Heaven, 
To help you find them. 

Lad. Gentle villager, 
What readiest way would bring me to that place? 

Com. Due west it rises from this shrubby point. 

Lad. To find out that, good shepherd, I sup- 
In such a scant allowance of starlight, [pose, 
Would overtask the best land-pilot's art, 
Without the sure guess of well-practis'd feet. 

Com. I know each lane, and every alley green, 
Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood, 
And every bousky bourn, from side to side, 
My daily walks, and ancient neighbourhood ; 
And if your stray attendants be yet lodged, 
Or shroud within these limits, I shall know 
Ere morrow wake, or the low-roosted lark 
From her thatch'd pallet rouse; if otherwise, 
J can conduct you, lady, to a low 
But loyal cottage, where you may be safe, 
Till further quest. 

Lad. Shepherd, I take thy word, 
And trust thy honest offer'd (courtesy, 
Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, 
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls, 
In courts of princes, where it first was named, 
And yet is most pretended : ] In a place 
Less warranted than this, or less secure, 
I cannot be, that I should fear to change it. 
Eye me, bless'd Providence, and square my trial 
To my proportion'd strength. — Shepherd, lead on. 

{Exeunt. 

Enter the two Brothers. 

El. Br. UnmufHe, ye faint stars, and thou, fair 
That wont'st to love the traveller's benison, [Moon, 
Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud, 
And disinherit CJiaos, that reigns here, 
In double night of darkness and of shades ; 
Or, if your influence be quite damm'd up, 
With black usurping mists, some gentle taper, 
Though a rush-candle, from the wicker hole 
Of some clay habitation, visit us 
With thy long-levell'd rule of streaming light ; 
And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, 
Or Tyriaii Cynosure. 



CUM US. 39: 

Sec. Br. Or, if our eyes 
Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear 
The folded flocks penn'd in their wattled cotes, 
Or sound of pastoral reed with oaten stops, 
Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock 
Count the night watches, to his feathery dames, 
Twould be some solace yet, some little cheering, 
In this close dungeon of innumerous boughs. 
By O that hapless virgin, our lost sister, 

>ay she wander now, whither betake her 
From die hill dew, among rude burs and thistles ? 
Per 1 ^e cold bank is her bolster now, 

rugged bark of some broad elm 
ui f, d head, fraught with sad fears. 

What if in wHi azement, and affright, 
Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp 
vage hunger, oi of savage heat? 
El. Br. Peace, bro \n (V not over-exquisite 
To cast the. fashion ittdertain evils;) 

For (-rant they be so, while they ^est unknown, 
What i,:ed a mar; forestall his date of griefj 
in to ir)%t what he would most avoid . 
hey be - i> false aia~n;s of fear, 
x bitter is such self-delus; 

I u & ..not think my t> 
Or so u i principled in ii 
And the sweet peace that goo.l 
As that the single want of 
Not being in danger. 
Could stir the constant moo*' of her calm thoi ights, 

/ And put them into misbecoming plight. 

I Virtue could see to do what Virtue would, 
By her own radiant light, though sun and moon 
Were in the flat sea sunk~) And Wisdom's self 
Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude ; 
Where, with her best nurse Contemplation, 
She plumes her feathers, & lets grow her wings, 
That, in the various bustle of resort, 
Were all-to ruffled, and sometimes impair'd. 
He that has light within his own clear breast, 
May sit in the centre, and enjoy bright day : 
But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts, 
Benighted walks, under the mid-day sun ; 
Himself his own dungeon. 

Sec. Br. 'Tis most true, 
That musing Meditation most affeeis 



j92 com us. 

The pensive secrecy of desert cell, 
Far from the cheerful haunt of men and herds, 
And sits as safe as in a senate-house ; 
For who would rob a hermit of his weeds, 
His few books, or his beads, or maple dish, 
Or do his gray hairs any violence? 
[ But Beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree, 
Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard 
Of dragon-watch with unenchanted eye, 
To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit. 
From the rash hand of bold incontinence.") 
You may as well spread out the unsunn'd hea< 
Of misers' treasure, by an outlaw's den, 
And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 
Danger will wink on opportunity, 
And let a single helpless maiden pass 
Uninjured, in this wild surrounding waste. 
Of night, or loneliness, it recks me not ; 
I fear the dread events that dog them both, 
Lest some ill-greeting touch attempt the person 
Of our unownea sister. 

El. Br. I do not, brother, 
Infer, as if I thought my sister's state 
Secure, without all doubt, ci controversy; 
Yet, where an equal poise of hope and fear 
Does arbitrate the event, my nature is 
That I incline to hope, rather than fear, 
And gladly banish squint suspicion. 
My sister is not so defenceless left 
As you imagine ; she has a hidden strength, 
Which you remember not. 

Sec. Br. What hidden strength, 
Unless the strength of Heaven, if you mean that ? 

EL Br. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strength, 
Which, if Heaven gave it, may be term'd her own : 
( 'Tis chastity, my brother, chastity : 
She, that has that, is clad in complete steel ; 
And, like a quiver'd nymph, with arrows keen, 
May trace huge forests, & unharbour'd heaths, 
Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds, 
Where, through the sacred rays of chastity, 
No savage fierce, bandite, or mountaineer, 
Will dare to soil her virgin purity: 
Yea there, where very desolation dwells, ^ 
By grots, and caverns, shagg'd with horrid shades, 
She may pass on with unblench'd majesty ; 
Be it not done in pride, or in presumption.") 



com us. 393 

{Some say, no evil thing that walks by night, 
In fog or fire, by lake, or moorish fen, 
Blue meagre hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost, 
That breaks his magic chains at curfeu time, 
No goblin, or swart fairy of the mine, 
Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity.) 
Do ye believe me yet, or shall I call 
Antiquity, from the old schools of Greece 
To testify the arms of chastity? 
Hence, had the huntress Dian her dread bow, 
Fair silver-shafted queen, for ever chaste, 
Wherewith she tamed the brinded lioness, 
And spotted mountain-pard, but set at naught 
The frivolous bolt of Cupid ; gods and men 
Fear'd her stern frown, & she was queen of the woods. 
What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield, 
That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd virgin, 
Wherewith sheTreezed her foes, to congeal' d stone', 
But rigid looks of chaste austerity, 
And noble grace, that dash'd brute violence 

.With sudden adoration, and blank awe? 

(So dear to Heaven is saintly chastity, 
That when a soul is found sincerely so, 
A thousand liveried angels lackey her, 
Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt ; ) 
And in clear dream, and solemn vision, 
Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear, 
Till oft converse, with heavenly habitants, 
Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape, 
The unpolluted temple of the mind, 
And turns it, by degrees, to the soul's essence, 
Till all be made immortal : but when lust, 
By unchaste looks, loose gestures, & foul talk, 
But most by lewd and lavish act of sin, 
Lets in defilement to the inward parts, 
The soul grows clotted by contagion, 
Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose 
The divine property of her first being. 
Such are those thick & gloomy shadows damp 
Oft seen in charnel vaults, and sepulchres, 
Lingering, and sitting by a new made grave, 
As loth to leave the body that it loved, 
And link'd itself, by carnal sensuality, 
To a degenerate and degraded state. 

Sec. Br .(How charming is divine philosophy ! 
Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools suppose, 
But musical, as is Apollo's lute, ^ 



394 



And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, 
Where no crude surfeit reigns. 

El. Br. List, list, I hear , 
Some far off halla break the silent air. 

Sec. Br. Methought so too ; what should it be ? 

El. Br. For certain 
Either some one, like us, night-founder'd here 
Or else some neighbour woodman, or, at worst, 
Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 

Sec. Br. Heaven keep my sister! Again, again, 
Best draw, and stand upon our guard, [and near ; 

El. Br. I'll halla; 
If he be friendly, he comes well; if not, 
Defence is a good cause, and Heaven be for us. 

Enter the attendant Spirit, habited like a shepherd. 
That halla I should know, what are you ? speak ; 
Come not too near, you fall on iron stakes else, [again. 

Spir. What voice is that ? my young lord ? speak 

Sec. Br. O brother, 'tis my father's shepherd, sure. 

El. Br. Thyrsis ? Whose artful strains have oft de- 
The huddling brook, to hear his madrigal, [lay'd 
And sweeten'd every muskrose of the dale ; 
How earnest thou here, good swain ? hath any ram 
Slipp'd from the fold, or young kid lost his dam, 
Or straggling wether the pent flock forsook ? 
How could'st thou find this dark sequester'd nook ? 

Spir. O my lov'd master's heir, & his next joy ! 
1 came not here on such a trivial toy 
As a stray'd ewe, or to pursue the stealth 
Of pilfering wolf ; not all the fleecy wealth 
That doth enrich these downs is worth a thought, 
To this my errand, and the care it brought. 
But, O my virgin lady, where is she? 
How chance she is not in your company ? [blame, 

El. Br. To tell thee, sadly, shepherd, without 
Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 

Spir. Ay me unhappy ! then my fears are true. 

El. Br. What fears, good Thyrsis ? Pr'ythee brief- 

Spir. I'll tell ye ; 'tis not vain or fabulous, [ly shew. 
Though so esteem'd by shallow ignorance, 
What the sage poets, taught by the heavenly Muse, 
.Storied of old, in high immortal verse, 
Of dire chimeras, and enchanted isles, 
And rifted rocks, whose entrance leads to Hell; 
For such there be, but unbelief is blind. 

Within the navel of this hideous wood, 



com us. 395 

Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells, 
Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, 
Deep skih'd in all his mother's witcheries ; 
And here, to every thirsty wanderer, 
By sly enticement, gives his baneful cup, 
With many murmurs mix'd, whose pleasing poison 
The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, 
And the inglorious likeness of a beast 
Fixes instead, unmoulding Reason's mintage, 
Character'd in the face : this have I learn'd 
Tending my flocks hard by in the hilly crofts, 
That brow this bottom glade, whence, night by night, 
He, and his monstrous rout, are heard to howl, 
Like stabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, 
Doing abhorred rites to Hecate, 
In their obscured haunts of inmost bowers. 
Yet have they many baits, and guileful spells, 
To inveigle and invite the unwary sense 
Of them that pass unweeting by the way. 
This evening late, by then the chewing flocks 
Had ta'en their supper, on the savoury herb 
Of knot-grass, dew-besprent, and were in fold, 
I sat me down to watch upon a bank, 
With ivy canopied, and interwove 
With flaunting honeysuckle, and began, 
Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 
To meditate my rural minstrelsy, 
Till Fancy had her fill; but ere a close, 
The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, 
And fill'd the air with barbarous dissonance ; 
At which I ceas'd, and listen'd them a while, 
Till an unusual stop of sudden silence 
Gave respite to the drowsy frighted steeds, 
.JThat draw the litter of close-curtain'd Sleep ; 
At last, a soft and solemn-breathing sound 
Rose like a steam of rich distiU'd perfumes, 
And stole upon the air, that even Silence 
Was took ere she was 'ware,& wish'd she might 
Deny her nature, and be never more 
Still to be so displaced. I was all ear, 
And took in strains that might create a soul 
Under the ribs of Death : but O, ere long, 
Too well did I perceive it was the voice 
Of my most honour'd Lady, your dear sister. 
Amazed I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear, 
And O, poor hapless nightingale, thought I, 
How sweet thou sing'st, how near the deadly snare 



396 com us. 

Then down the lawns I ran, with headlong haste, 
Through paths and turnings often trod by day, 
Till, guided by mine ear, I found the place, 
Where that damn'd wizard, hid in sly disguise, 
For so by certain signs I knew, had met 
Already, ere my best speed could prevent, 
The aidless, innocent lady, his wish'd prey; 
Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two, 
Supposing him some neighbouring villager. 
Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd 
Ye were the two she meant ; with that I sprung 
Into swift flight, till I had found you here ; 
But further know I not. 

Sec. Br. O night, and shades, 
How are ye join'd with Hell, in triple knot, 
Against the unarmed weakness of one virgin , 
Alone, and helpless? Is this the confidence 
You gave me, brother ? 

EL Br. Yes, and keep it still, 
Lean on it safely ; not a period 
Shall be unsaid for me: against the threats 
Of malice, or of sorcery, or that power, 
Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, — 
^Virtue may be assaiPd, but never hurt, 
Surprised by unjust force, but not enthrall'd :\ 
Yea even that, which mischief meant most harm, 
Shall, in the happy trial, prove most glory, 
But evil on itself shall back recoil, 
And mix no more with goodness, when at last, 
Gather'd like scum, and settled to itself, 
It shall be, in eternal restless change 
Self-fed, and self-consumed : if this fail, 
The pillar'd firmament is rottenness, 
And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on. 
Against the opposing will and arm of Heaven 
May never this just sword be lifted up; 
But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt 
With all the grisly legions that troop 
Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 
Harpies and hydras, or all the monstrous forms 
'Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, 
And force him to return his purchase back, 
Or drag him, by the curls, to a foul death, 
Cursed as his life. 

Spir. Alas! good venturous youth, 
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise ; 
But here thy sword can do thee little stead; 



comi'S. 397 

Far other arms, and other weapons, must 
Be those, that quell the might of hellish charms : 
He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints, 
And crumble all thy sinews. 

El. Br. Why pr'ythee, shepherd, 
How durst thou then thyself approach so near, 
As to make this relation? 

Spir. Care, and utmost shifts, 
How to secure the lady from surprisal, 
Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad, 
Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd 
In every virtuous plant, and healing herb, 
That spreads her verdant leaf to the morning ray : 
He loved me well, and oft would beg me sing, 
Which when I did, he on the tender grass 
Would sit, and hearken even to ecstacy, 
And, in requital, ope his leathern scrip, 
And show me simples of a thousand names, 
Telling their strange and vigorous faculties : 
Amongst the rest, a small unsightly root, 
But of divine effect, he cull'd me out ; 
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it, 
But in another country, as he said, 
Bore a bright golden flower ; out not in this soil, 
Unknown, and like esteem'd ; and the dull swain 
Treads on it daily, with his clouted shoon ; 
And yet more medicinal is it than that moly, 
That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave ; 
He call'd it hsemony, and gave it me, 
And bade me keep it, as of sovereign use, 
'Gainst all enchantments, mildew, blast, or damp, 
Or ghastly furies' apparition. 
I pursed it up, but little reckoning made, 
Till now, that this extremity compell'd : 
But now, I find it true ; for, by this means, 
I knew the foul enchanter, though disguised , 
Enter'd the very lime-twigs of his spells, 
And yet came off. If you have this about you, 
As I will give you when we go, you may 
Boldly assault the necromancer's hall; 
Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, 
And brandish'd blade, rush on him, break his glass, 
And shed the luscious liquor on the ground, 
But seize his wand ; though he and his cursed crew 
Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high, 
Or like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke, 
Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink. 



El. Br. Thyrsis, lead on apace, I'll follow thee*, 
And some good angel bear a shield before us. 

The Scene changes to a stately palace, set out with 
all manner of deliciousness ; soft music, table, 
spread with all dainties. Comus appears with his 
rabble, and the Lady set in an enchanted chair, to 
whom he offers his glass, which she puts by, and 
goes about to rise. 

Comus. 

Nay, lady, sit ; if I but wave this wand, 
Your nerves are all chain'd up in alabaster, 
And you a statue; or, as Daphne was, 
Rootbound, that fled Apollo. 

Lad. Fool, do not boast; 
Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind, 
With all thy charms, although this corporal rhind, 
Thou hast immanacled, while Heaven sees good. 

Com. Why are you vex'd, lady ? why do you frown, 
Here dwell no frowns, nor anger ; from these gates 
Sorrow flies far. See, here be all the pleasures, 
That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, 
When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 
Brisk as the April buds in primrose-season. 
And first, behold this cordial julep here, 
That flames, and dances in his crystal bounds 
With spirits of balm and fragrant sirops mix'd. 
Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone, 
In Egypt, gave to Jove-born Helena, 
Is of such power to stir up joy as this, 
To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst. 
Why should you be so cruel to yourself, 
And to those dainty limbs, which Nature lent 
For gentle usage, and soft delicacy ? 
But you invert the covenants of her trust, 
And harshly deal, like an ill-borrower, 
With that, which you received on other terms ; 
Scorning the unexempt condition, 
By which all mortal frailty must subsist ; 
Refreshment after toil, ease after pain, 
That have been tired all day without repast, 
And timely rest have wanted ; but, fair virgin, 
This will restore all soon. 

Lad. Twill not, false traitor ; 
Twill not restore the truth and honesty, 
That thou hast banish'd from thy tongue, with lies. 



com us. 399 

Was this the cottage, and the safe abode, 
Thou told'st me of? What grim aspects are these, 
These ugly-headed monsters ? Mercy guard me ; 
Hence with thy brew'd enchantments, foul deceiver ; 
Hast thou betray'd my credulous innocence, 
With visor'd falsehood, and base forgery? 
And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here, 
With lickerish baits, fit to ensnare a brute ? 
Were it a draught for Juno, when she banquets, 
I would not taste thy treasonous offer ; none 
But such as are good men can give good things, 
And that which is not good, is not delicious 
To a well-governed and wise appetite. 

Com. O foolishness of men ! that lend their ears 
To those budge doctors of the Stoic fur, 
And fetch their precepts from the Cynic tub, 
Praising the lean and sallow Abstinence. 
Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth, 
With such a full and un withdrawing hand, 
Covering the earth with odours, fruits and flocks, 
Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable, 
But all to please, and sate the curious taste ? 
And set to work millions of spinning worms, [silk, 
That, m their green shops, weave the smooth-hair'd 
To deck her sons ; and, that no corner might 
Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins 
She hutch'd the all-worshipp'd ore, and precious gems 
To store her children with : if all the world 
Should, in a pet of temperance, feed on pulse, 
Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze, 
The All-giver would be unthank'd, would be unpraised, 
Not half his riches known, and yet despised ; 
And we should serve him, as a grudging master, 
As a penurious niggard of his wealth ; 
And live like Nature's bastards, not her sons, 
Who would be quite surcharg'd with her own weight, 
And strangled with her waste fertility; [plumes, 
Th' earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark'd with 
The herds would over multitude their lords, [diamonds 
The sea o'erfraught would swell, and the unsought 
Would so imblaze the forehead of the deep, 
And so bestud with stars, that they below 
Would grow inured to light, and come, at last, 
To gaze upon the sun, with shameless brows. 
List, lady ; be not coy, and be not cozen'd 
JN'iih that same vaunted name, Virginity. 
(Beauty is Nature's coin, must not be hoarded, 



4G0 com us. 

But must be current ; and the good thereof 
Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, 
Unsavoury in the enjoyment of itself; 
If you let slip time, like a neglected rose, 
It withers on the stalk, with languish'd head.} 
Beauty is Nature's brag, and must be shown 
In courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, 
Where most may wonder at the workmanship ; 
It is for homely features to keep home, 
They had their names thence ; coarse complexions, 
And cheeks of sorry grain, will serve to ply 
The sampler, and to tease the housewife's wool. 
What need a vermeil- tinctur'd lip for that, 

(Love-darting eyes^or tresses like the morn ? 

( There was another meaning in these gifts ; ) 
Think what, and be advised, you are but young yet. 
Lad. I had not thought to have unlocked my lips 
In this unhallow'd air, but that this juggler 
Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, 
Obtruding false rules, prank'd in Reason's garb. 
I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments, 
And Virtue has no tongue to check her pride. 
Impostor, do not charge most innocent Nature, 
As if she would her children should be riotous, 
With her abundance ; she, good cateress, 
Means her provision only to the good, 
That live according to her sober laws, 

t And holy dictate of spare temperance : 

f If every just man, that now pines with want, 
Had but a moderate, and beseeming share 
Of that, which lewdly-pamper'd Luxury 
Now heaps upon some few, with vast excess, 
Nature's full blessings would be well dispensed, 
In unsuperfluous even proportion, . 

And she no whit encumber'd with her store ; ) 
And then the giver would be better thank 'd, 
His praise due paid : for swinish Gluttony 

. Ne'er looks to Heaven, amidst his gorgeous feast, 
But with besotted base ingratitude, 
Crams, and blasphemes his feeder. Shall I go on ? 
Or have I said enough ? To him, that dares 
Arm his profane tongue, with contemptuous words, 
Against the sun-clad power of Chastity, 
Fain would I something say, yet to what end ? 
Thou hast nor ear, nor soul, to apprehend 
The sublime notion, and high mystery, 
That must be utter'd, to unfold the sage 



COM us 40] 

And serious doctrine of Virginity ; 
And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know 
More happiness than this, thy present lot. 
Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, 
That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence, 
Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinced : 
Yet should I try, the uncontrolled worth 
Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirits, 
To such a flame of sacred vehemence, 
That dumb things would be moved to sympathize, 
And the brute earth would lend her nerves, & shake, 
Till all thy magic structures, rear'd so high, 
Were shatter'd into heaps, o'er thy false head. 
Com. She fables not, I feel that I do fear 
Her words, set off by some superior power ; 
And though not mortal, yet a cold shuddering dew 
Dips me all o'er, as when the wrath of Jove 
Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus, 
To some of Saturn's crew. I must dissemEle, 
And try her yet more strongly. — Come, no mote ; 
This is mere moral babble, and direct 
Against the canon laws of our foundation ; 
1 must not suffer this ; yet 'tis but the lees, 
And settlings of a melancholy blood : 
But this will cure all straight, one sip of this 
Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, 
Beyond the bliss of dreams. Be wise, & taste. 

The Brothers rush in with swords drawn, wrest his 
glass out of his hand, and break it against the 
ground ; his rout make sign of resistance, but are 
all driven in. The Attendant Spirit comes in. 

Spirit. 
What, have you let the false enchanter 'scape ? 
O ye mistook, ye should have snatch'd his wand, 
And bound him fast ; without his rod reversed, 
And backward mutters of dissevering power, 
We cannot free the lady, that sits here, 
In stony fetters fix'd, and motionless : 
Yet stay, be not disturb'd : now I bethink me, 
Some other means I have, which may be us'd, 
Which once of Melibceus old 1 fearn'd, 
The soothest shepherd that e'er piped on plains. 
There is a gentle nymph not far from hence, 
That, with moist curb, sways the smooth Severn 
Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure ; [stream, 

k 2 I) 



402 



Whilom, she was the daughter of Locrme, 
That had the sceptre from his father Brute. 
She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit 
Of her enraged stepdame, Guendolen, 
Commended her fair innocence to the flood, 
That staid her flight, with his cross-flowing course. 
The water-nymphs, that in the bottom play'd, 
Held up their pearled wrists, and took her in, 
Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall, 
Who, piteous of her woes, rear'd tieFlank head, 
And gave her to his daughters, to imbathe 
In nectar'd lavers, strew'd with asphodel, 
And, through the porch and inlet of each sense, 
Dropp'd in ambrosial oils, till she revived, 
And underwent a quick immortal change, 
Made goddess of the river : still she retains 
Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve 
Visits the herds, along the twilight meadows, 
Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs, 
That the shrewd meddling elf delights to make. 
Which she with precious vial'd liquors heals ; 
For which, the shepherds, at their festivals, 
Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays, 
And throw sweet garland wreaths, into her stream . 
Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils. 
And, as the old swain said, she can unlock 
The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing spell. 
If she be right invoked in warbled song ; 
For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift 
To aid a virgin, such as was herself, 
In hardrbesetting need ; this will I try, 
And add the power of some adjuring verse. 



Sabrina fair, 

Listen, where thou art sitting, 
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, 

In twisted braids of lilies knitting 
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair j 

Listen, for dear honour's sake, 

Goddess of the silver lake. 
Listen, and save. 
Listen, and appear to us, 
In name of great Oceanus^^- 
By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace, 
And Tethy's grave majestic pace. 
By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look, 



COMUS. 40.* 

And the Carpathian wizard's hook, 
By scaly Triton's winding shell, 
And old sooth-saying Glaucus' spell, 
By Leucothea's lovely hands, 
And her son that rules the strands, 
By Thetis' tinsel-slipper'd feet, 
And the songs of Syrens sweet, 
By dead Parthe&ope's dear tomb, 
And fair Ligea's golden comb, 
Wherewith she sits, on diamond rocks, 
Sleeking her soft alluring locks, 
By all the nymphs that nightly dance 
Upon thy streams, with wily glance, 
Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head, 
From thy coral- paven bed, 
And bridle in thy headlong wave, 
Till thou our summons answer'd have. 

Listen, and save. 

Sabrina rises, attended by Water- Nymphs, and sings. 

By the rushy-fringed bank, 

Where grows the willow and the osier dank, 

My sliding chariot stays, 
Thick set with agate, and the azure sheen 
Of turkish blue, and emerald green, 

That in the channel strays : 
Whilst from off the waters fleet, 
Thus I set my printless feet, 
O'er the cowslip's velvet head, 

That bends not as I tread ; 
Gentle swain, at thy request, 

I am . here. 

Sp. Goddess dear, 
We implore thy powerful hand, 
To undo the charmed band 
Of true virgin, here distress'd, 
Through the force, and through the wile 
Of unbless'd enchanter vile. 

Sab. Shepherd, 'tis my office best 
To help ensnared chastity : 
Brightest lady, look on me ; 
Thus I sprinkle, on thy breast, 
Drops that, from my fountain pure 
I have kept of precious cure, 
Thrice upon thy finger's tip, 
Thrice upon thy rubied lip ; 
Next this marble, venom'd seat. 



404 



Smear'd with gums of glutinous heat, 

I touch, with chaste palms moist and cold : 

Now the spell hath lost his hold : 
And I must haste, ere morning hour, 
To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 

Sabrina descends, and the Lady rises out of her s 

Sp. Virgin, daughter of Locrine 
Sprung of old Anchises' line, 
May thy brimmed waves, for this, 
Their full tribute never miss, 
From a thousand petty rills, 
That tumble down the snowy hills ; 
Summer drouth, or singed air, 
Never scorch thy tresses fair, 
Nor wet October's torrent flood 
Thy molten chrystal fill with mud; 
May thy billows roll ashore 
The beryl, and the golden ore; 
May thy lofty head be crowned 
With many a tower and terrace round, 
And here and there, thy banks upon, 
With groves of myrrh and cinnamon. 

Come, lady, while Heaven lends us grace, 
Let us fly this cursed place, 
Lest the sorcerer us entice, 
With some other new device. 
Not a waste, or needless sound, 
Till we come to holier ground ; 
I shall be your faithful guide, 
Through this gloomy covert wide, 
And not many furlongs thence 
Is your father's residence, 
Where this night are met, in state, 
Many a friend to gratulate 
His wish'd presence; and, beside, 
All the swains that there abide, 
With jigs and rural dance, resort; 
We shall catch them at their sport, 
And our sudden coming there 
Will double all their mirth and checi ; 
Come, let us haste, the stars grow high 
But night sits monarch yet, in the mid sky. 



40 o 



ffl he Scene changes, presenting Ludlow town, and the 
President's castle ; then come in Country Dancers ; 
after them the Attendant Spirit, with the Two 
Brothers, and the Lady. 



Sp. Back, Shepherds, back, enough your play, 
Till next sun-shine holiday ; 
Here be, without duck or nod 
Other trippings to be trod 
Of lighter toes, and such court guise, 
As Mercury did first devise, 
With the mincing Dryades, 
On the lawns, and on the leas. 

This second Song presents them to their Father 
and Mother, 

Noble lord, and lady bright, 
I have brought ye new delight; 
Here behold, so goodly grown, 
Three fair branches of your own : 
Heaven hath timely tried their youth, 
Their faith, their patience, and their truth, 
And sent them here through hard assays, 
With a crown of deathless praise. 
To triumph in victorious dance 
O'er sensual Folly, and Intemperance. 

The dances ended, the Spirit epiloguises, 
Sp. To the ocean now I fly, 

And those happy climes, that Ke 

Where day never shuts his eye, 

Up in the broad fields of the sky : 
( There I suck the liquid air, 

All amidst the gardens fair 

Of Hesperus, and his daughters three, 

That sing about the golden tree :\ 

Along the crisped shades and bowers 

Revels the spruce and jocund Spring; 

The graces, and the rosy-bosom'd Hours, 

Thither all their bounties bring ; 
(There eternal summer dwells, 

And west-winds, with musky wing, 

About the cedarn alleys fling 

Nard and Cassia's balmy smells.j 

Iris there, with humid bow, 

Waters the odorous banks, that blow 



406 comus. 

Flowers of more mingled hue 
Than her purfled scarf can shew; 
And drenches with Elysian dew 
(List, mortals, if your ears be true,) 
Beds of hyacinth and roses, 
Where young Adonis oft reposes, 
Waxing well of his deep wound, 
In slumber soft, and, on the ground, 
f Sadly sits the Assyrian queen : 
( But far above in spangled sheen 
Celestial Cupid, her famed son advanced, 
Holds his dear Psyche sweet entranced, 
After her wandering labours long, 
Till free consent, the gods among, 
Make her his eternal bride ; 
And from her fair unspotted side, 
Two blissful twins are to be born, 
Youth and Joy ; so Jove hath sworn. \ 
But now my task is smoothly done, 
I can fly, or I can run 
Quickly, to the green earth's end, 
Where the bow'd welkin slow doth bend, 
And from thence can soar, as soon, 
To the corners of the moon. 
Mortals that would follow me, 
(Love virtue, she alone is free, 
She can teach ye how to climb 
Higher than the sphery chime ; ) 
Or, if Virtue feeble were, 
Heaven itself would stoop to her 



THE END OF COMUS. 



LYCIDAS. 



In this Monody, the author bewails a learned friend,* 
unfortunately drowned in his passage from Chester 
on the Irish seas, 1637. And by occasion foretells 
the ruin of our corrupted clergy then in their 
highth. 

jl et once more, O ye laurels, and once more, 
Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never-sere, 
I come to pluck your berries, harsh and crude, 
And, with forced fingers rude, 
Shatter your leaves, before the mellowing year : 
Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear, 
Compels me to disturb your season due : 
For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime, 
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer. ) 
Who would not sing for Lycidas ? he knew 
Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme. 
He must not float upon his watery bier 

Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, 

Without the meed of some melodious tear. 

Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well 
That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring, 

Begin, and somewhat loudly sweep the string. 

Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse, 

So may some gentle Muse, 

With lucky words, favour my destined urn ; 

And, as he passes turn, 

And bid fair peace be to my sable shroud. 

For we were nursed upon the self-same hill, 

Fed the same flock, by fountain, shade, and rill. 

* Edward King, Esq., the son of Sir John King, knight, se- 
cretary for Ireland. He was sailing from Chester to Ireland, 
on a visit to his friends in that country, when, in calm weather. 
not far from the English coast, the ship struck upon a rock, 
aud suddenly sunk to the bottom with all that were on board, 
August 10, 1637. Mr. King was a fellow of Christ's College, 
Cambridge. 



'108 LYCIDAS. 

Together both, ere the high lawns appear'd, 
Under the opening eyelids of the morn, 
We drove afield, and both together heard, 
What time the gray-fly winds her sultry horn , 
Battening our flocks, with the fresh dews of night, 
Oft till the star that rose, at evening, bright, 
Toward Heaven's descent had sloped his westering 
Meanwhile the rural ditties were not mute, [wheel. 
Temper'd to the oaten flute, 
Rough Satyrs danced, and Fauns, with cloven heel, 
From the glad sound would not be absent long, 
And old Damoetas loved to hear our song. 

But O the heavy change, now thou art gone, 
Now thou art gone, and never must return ! 
Thee, shepherd, thee, the woods, and desert caves, 
With wild thyme and the gadding vine overgrown, 
And all their echoes, mourn. 
The willows, and the hazel copses green, 
Shall now no more be seen, 
Fanning their joyous leaves to thy soft lays. 
As killing as the canker to the rose, 
Or taint-worm to the weanling herds that graze, 
Or frost to flowers, that their gay wardrobe wear, 
When first the white-thorn blows ; 
Such, Lycidas, thy loss to shepherd's ear. [deep 
Where were ye, Nymphs, when the remorseless 
Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas? 
For neither were ye playing on the steep, 
Where your old bards, the famous Druids, lie, 
Nor on the shaggy top of Mona high, 
Nor yet where Deva spreads her wizard stream : 
Ay me! I fondly dream. 
Had ye been there, for what could that have done ? 
What could the Muse herself, that Orpheus bore, 
The Muse herself, for her enchanting son, 
Whom universal Nature did lament, 
When by the rout, that made the hideous roar, 
His gory visage down the stream was sent, 
Down the swift Hebrus, to the Lesbian shore ? 
Alas ! what boots it, with incessant care, 
To tend the homely slighted shepherd's trade, 
And strictly meditate the thankless Muse? 
Were it not better done, as others use, 
To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, 
Or with the tangles of Nesera's hair? 
( Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise, 
That last infirmity of noble mind, 



LYCIDAS. v 409 

To scorn delights, and live laborious days ; 
But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, 
And think to burst out into sudden blaze, 
Comes the blind Fury, with the abhorred shears, 
And slits the thin-spun life. " But not the praise," 
Phoebus replied, and touch'd my trembling ears. J 
" Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil, 
Nor in the glistering foil 
Set oft' to the world, nor in broad rumour lies, 
But lives, and spreads aloft, by those pure eyes, 
And perfect witness of all -judging Jove ; 
As he pronounces lastly on each deed, 
Of so much fame in Heaven expect thy meed." 

O fountain Arethuse, and thou honour'd flood, 
Smooth sliding Mincius, crown'd with vocal reeds, 
That strain I heard was of a higher mood : 
But now my oat proceeds, 
And listens to the herald of the sea, 
That came in Neptune's plea; 
He ask'd the waves, and ask'd the felon winds, 
What hard mishap hath doom'd this gentle swain ? 
And question'd every gust of rugged wings, 
That blows from off each beaked promontory ; 
They knew not of his story, 
And sage Hippotades their answer brings, 
That not a blast was from his dungeon stray'd ; 
The air was calm, and, on the level brine, 
Sleek Panope with all her sisters play'd. 
It was that fatal and perfidious bark, 
Built in the eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark, 
That sunk so low that sacred head of thine. 

Next Camus, reverend sire, went footing slow, 
His mantle hairy, and his bonnet sedge, 
Inwrought with figures dim, and, on the edge, 
Like to that sanguine flower inscribed with woe. 
" Ah ! who hath reft, quoth he, my dearest pledge?" 
Last came, and last did go, 
The pilot of the Galilean lake ; 
Two massy keys he bore, of metals twain, 
The golden opes, the iron shuts amain, 
He shook his mitred locks, and stern bespake : 
" How well could I have spared for thee, young swain, 
Enow of such as, for their bellies' sake, 
Creep, and intrude, and climb into the fold? 
Of other care they little reckoning make, 
Than how to scramble, at the shearers' feast, 
And shove away the worthy bidden guest ; 



410 LYC1DAS, 

Blind mouths ! that scarce themselves know how to 
A sheephook, or have learn'd aught else, the least, [hold 
That to the faithful herdsman's art belongs ! [sped ; 
What recks it them ? What need they ? They are 
And, when they list, their lean and flashy songs 
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw : 
The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, 
But swoll'n with wind, & the rank mist they draw, 
Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread : 
Besides what the grim wolf, with privy paw, 
Daily devours apace, and nothing said; 
But that two-handed engine at the door, 
Stands ready to smite once, & smite no more." 
Return, Alpheus, the dread voice is pass'd, 
That shrunk thy streams ; return, Sicilian Muse, 
And call the vales, and bid them hither cast 
Their bells, and flowerets of a thousand hues. 
Ye valleys low, where the mild whispers use. 
Of shades, & wanton winds, & gushing brooks, 
On whose fresh lap the swart-star sparely looks, 
Throw hither all your quaint enamell'd eyes, 
That on the green turf suck the honied showers, 
And purple all the ground with vernal floweis. 
Bring the rathe primrose, that forsaken dies, 
The tufted crow-toe, and pale jessamine, 
The white pink, and the pansy freak'd with jet, 
The glowing violet, 

The musk-rose, and the well attired woodbine, 
With cowslips wan, that hang the pensive head, 
And every flower that sad embroidery wears : 
( Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed, 
And dafTadillies fill their cups with tears, 
To strew the laureat herse where Lycid lies.) 
For so to interpose a little ease, 
Let our frail thoughts daily with false surmise. 
Ah me ! whilst thee the shores, & sounding seas 
Wash far away, where'er thy bones are hurl'd, 
Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides, 
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide, 
Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world ; 
Or, whether thou, to our moist vows denied, 
Sleep'st by the fable of Bellerus old, 
Where the great vision of the guarded mount,* 
Looks towards Namancos, and Bayona's hold ; 
Look homeward, angel, now, & melt with ruth : 

* Mount St. Michael ; not far from the Land's End in Cornwall. 



LYCIDAS 41 1 

And, O ye dolphins, waft the hapless youth. 

Weep no more, woeful shepherds, weep no more, 
For Lycidas, your sorrow, is not dead, 
Sunk though he be beneath the watery floor ; 

(So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, 
And yet anon repairs his drooping head, 
And tricks his beams, & with new-spangled ore, 
Flames in the forehead of the morning sky :) 
So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high, [waves, 
Through the dear, might of Him that walk'd the 
Where, other groves and other streams along, 
With nectar pure, his oozy locks he laves, 

(And hears the unexpressive nuptial song, 
In the bless'd kingdoms meek of joy and love. ") 

( There entertain him all the saints above, 
In solemn troops and sweet societies, 
That sing, and singing, in their glory move, 
And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes.^ 
Now, Lycidas, the shepherds weep no more ; 
Henceforth thou art the genius of the shore, 
In thy large recompense, and shalt be good 
To all that wander in that perilous flood. 

Thus sang the uncouth swain, to the oaks & rills, 
While the still morn went out with sandals gray, 
He touch'd the tender stops of various quills, 
With eager thought warbling his Doric lay ; 
And now the sun had stretch'd out all the hills, 
And now was dropp'd into the western bay ; 
At last he rose, and twitch'd his mantle blue : 
To morrow to fresh woods, and pastures new. 



THE END OF LYCIDAS, 



L'ALLEGRO 



Hence, loathed Melancholy; 
Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, 
In Stygian cave forlorn, [unholy, 

'Mongst horrid shapes, & shrieks, & sights 
Find out some uncouth cell, [wings, 

Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous 
And the night-raven sings ; [rocks, 

There, under ebon shades, and low-brow 'd 
As ragged as thy locks, 

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. 

But come, thou goddess, fair and free, 
In Heaven yclep'd Euphrosyne, 
And by men, heart-easing Mirth ; 
Whom lovely Venus, at a birth, 
With two sister Graces more, 
To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore : 
(Or whether, as some sager sing, 
The frolic wind, that breathes the spring, 
Zephyr," with Aurora playing, 
As he met her once a-Maying, 
There on beds of violets blue, 
And fresh-blown roses, wash'd in dew, 
Fill'd her with thee, a daughter fair, 
So buxom, blithe, and debonair. } 

Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee 
Jest, and youthful jollity, 
Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, 
Nods, and becks, and wreathed smiles, 
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, 
And love to live in dimple sleek : 
Sport, that wrinkled Care derides, 
And Laughter, holding both his sides. 
Come, and trip it as you go, 
On the light fantastic toe : 
And, in thy right hand, lead with thee 
The mountain-nymph, sweet Liberty ; 
And, if I give thee honour due, 
Mirth, admit me of thy crew, 
To live with her, and live with thee, 



L ALLEGRO. 4 J 3 

In unreproved pleasures free ; 
To hear the lark begin his flight, 
And singing startle the dull night, 
From his watch-tower in the skies, 
Till the dappled dawn doth rise ; 
Then to come, in spite of sorrow, 
And at my window bid good morrow, 
Through the sweet-briar, or the vine, 
Or the twisted eglantine : 
While the cock, with lively din, 
Scatters the rear of darkness thin, 
And to the stack, or the barn door, 
Stoutly struts his dames before : 
Oft listening how the hounds and horn 
Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn, 
From the side of some hoar hill, 
Through the high wood echoing shrill. 
Some time walking, not unseen, 
By hedge-row elms, on hillocks green, 
Right against the eastern gate, 
Where the great sun begins his state, 
Rob'd in flames, and amber light, 
The clouds in thousand liveries dight ? 
While the ploughman, near at hand, 
Whistles o'er the furrow'd land, 
And the milkmaid singeth blithe, 
And the mower wets his scythe, 
And every shepherd tells his tale 
Under the hawthorn, in the dale. 
Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures 
Whilst the landscape round it measures 
Russet lawns, and fallows gray, 
Where the nibbling flocks do stray ; 
Mountains, on whose barren breast, 
The labouring clouds do often rest j 
Meadows trim, with daises pied, 
Shallow brooks, and rivers wide; 
Towers, and battlements it sees, 
Bosom'd high in tufted trees, 
Where, perhaps, some beauty lies, 
The Cynosure of neighbouring eyes.-^ 
Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes, 
From betwixt two aged oaks, 
Where Corydon and Thersis met, 
Are at their savoury dinner set 
Of herbs, and other country messes, 
Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses ; 



414 l'allegro. 

And then in haste her bower she leaves, 
With Thestylis to bind the sheaves ; 
Or, if the earlier season lead, 
To the tann'd haycock in the mead. 
Sometimes, with secure delight, 
The upland hamlets will invite, 
When the merry bells ring round, 
And the jocund rebecks sound, 
To many a youth, and many a maid, 
Dancing in the chequer'd shade ; 
And young and old come forth to play, 
On a sunshine holiday, 
Till the live-long day-light fail; „ 
Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, 
With stories told of many a feat, 
How faery Mab the junkets eat; 
She was pinch 'd, and pull'd, she said, 
And he, by friars' lantern led, 
Tells how the drudging goblin sweat, 
To earn his cream-bowl duly set, 
When in one night, ere glimpse of morn, 
His shadowy flail hath thresh'd the corn, 
That ten day-labourers could not end ; 
Then lies him down, the lubbar fiend, + 
And stretch'd out all the chimney's length, 
Basks at the fire his hairy strength ; 
And, crop-full, out of doors he flings, 
Ere the first cock his matin rings. 
Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 
By whispering winds soon lull'd asleep. 
Tower'd cities please us then, 
And the busy hum of men, 
Where throngs of knights, and barons bold 
In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold, 
With store of ladies, whose bright eyes 
Rain influence, and judge the prize 
Of wit, or arms, while both contend 
To win her grace, whom all commend. 
There let Hymen oft appear, 
In saffron robe, with taper clear, 
And pomp, and feast, and revelry, 
With mask, and antique pageantry ; 
Such sights as youthful poets dream, 
On summer eves, by haunted stream. 
Then to the well-trod stage anon, 
If Jonson's learned sock be on, 
Or Sweetest Shakespeare, fancy's child,) 



L ALLEGRO. 415 

Warble his native wood- notes wild. 

fAnd ever, against eating cares, 
Lap me in soft Lydian airs, 
Married to immortal verse; 
Such as the meeting soul may pierce, 
In notes, with many a winding bout - 
Of linked sweetness, long drawn out,) 
With wanton heed, and giddy cunning ; 
The melting voice through mazes running, 
Untwisting all the chains, that tie 
The hidden soul of harmony; 
That v Orpheus* self may have his head, 
From golden slumber, on a bed 
Of heap'd Elysian flowers, and hear 
Such strains, as would have won the ear 
Of Pluto, to have quite set free 
His half-regain'd Eurydice.. 

These delights if thou canst give, 
Mirth, with thee I mean to live. 



IL PENSEROSO. 



Hence, vain deluding joys, 
The brood of Folly, without father bred, 
How little you bestead, 

Or fill the fixed mind with all your toys ! 
Dwell in some idle brain, 

And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess. 
As thick and numberless 
As the gay motes that people the sun-beams ; 
Or likest hovering dreams. 

The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. 
But hail, thou Goddess, sage and holy, 
Hail, divinest Melancholy ! 
Whose saintly visage is too bright 
To hit the sense of human sight, 
And therefore, to our weaker view 
O'erlaid with black, staid wisdom's hue ; 
Black, but such as in esteem 
Prince Memnon's sister might beseem, 
Or that starr'd Ethiop queen, that strove 
To set her beauty's praise above 
The sea-nymphs, and their powers offended. 
Yet thou art higher far descended : 
Thee bright- h air 'd Vesta, long of yore, 
To solitary Saturn bore; 
His daughter she; in Saturn's reign, 
Such mixture was not held a stain : 
Oft, in glimmering bowers and glades, 
He met her, and in secret shades 
Of woody Ida's inmost grove, 
Whilst yet there was no fear of Jove. 
Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure, 
Sober, stedfast, and demure, 
All in a robe of darkest grain, 
Flowing with majestic train, 
And sable stole of Cyprus lawn, 



IL TENSEROSO. 

Over thy decent shoulders drawn. 
Come, but keep thy wonted state, 
With even step, and musing gait, 
And looks commercing with the skies, 
Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes : 
There, held in holy passion still 
Forget thyself to marble, till, 
With a sad leaden downward cast, 
Thou fix them on the earth as fast : 
And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet, 
Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet, 
And hears the Muses, in a ring, 
Aye, round about Jove's altar sing : 
And add to these retired Leisure, 
That in trim gardens takes his pleasure 
But first, and chiefest, with thee bring 
Him, that soars on golden wing, 
Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne, 
The cherub Contemplation ; 
And the mute Silence hist along, 
'Less Philomel will deign a song, 
.m her sweetest, saddest plight, 
Smoothing the rugged brow of night, 
While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke 
Gently, o'er the accustom'd oak : 
Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, 
Most musical, most melancholy! 

/Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among, 
I woo, to hear thy even-song; 
And, missing thee, I walk, unseen, 
On the dry smooth-shaven green, 
To behold the wandering moon, 
Riding near her highest noon, 
Like one that had been led astray, 
Through the Heaven's wide pathless way 
And, oft, as if her head she bow'd, 
Stooping through a fleecy cloud. % 

fOft, on a plat of rising ground, 
I hear the far off curfew sound, 
Over some wide-water'd shore, 
Swinging slow, with sullen roar : 
Or, if the air will not permit, 
Some still removed place will fit, 
Where glowing embers, through the room, 
Teach light to counterfeit a gloom; 
Far from all resort of mirth, 
Save the cricket on the hearth, 

•2 B 



418 IL PENSEROSO. 

Or the bellman's drowsy charm, 

To bless the doors from nightly harm. 

Or let my lamp, at midnight hour, 

Be seen in some high lonely tower, 

Where I may oft out-watch the Bear, 

With thrice-great Hermes, (or unsphere 

The spirit of Plato, to unfold 

What worlds, or what vast regions hold 

The immortal mind, that hath forsook 

Her mansion, in this fleshly nook : ! 

And of those demons, that are found 

In fire, air, flood, or under ground, 

Whose power hath a true consent 

W T ith planet, or with element. 

Sometime let gorgeous Tragedy, 

In scepter'd pall, come sweeping by, 

Presenting Thebes, or Pelops' line, 

Or the tale of Troy divine ; 

Or what, though rare, of later age 

Ennobled hath the buskin'd stage. 

But, sad Virgin, that thy power 
Might raise Musseus, from his bower, 
Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing 
Such notes, as, warbled to the string, 
Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek, 
And made Hell grant, what love did seek! 
Or call up him, that left, half-told, 
The story of Cambuscan bold, 
Of Camball, and of Algarsife, 
And who had Canace to wife, 
That own'd the virtuous ring and glass ; 
And of the wonderous horse of brass, 
On which the Tartar king did ride t> 
And if aught else great bards beside, 
In sage and solemn tunes, have sung 
Of turneys, and of trophies hung, 
Of forests, and enchantments drear, 
Where more is meant than meets the ear. 
Thus Night, oft see me in thy pale career, 
Till civil-suited Morn appear, 
Not trick'd and flounced, as she was wont, 
With the Attic boy to hunt, 
But kerchief'd in a comely cloud, 
While rocking winds are piping loud; 
Or usher'd with a shower still, 
When the gust had blown his" fill, 
Ending on the Tussling leaves. 



w, 



IL PENSEROSO. 419 



ith minute drops from off the eaves. 
And, when the sun begins to fling 
His flaring beams, me, Goddess, bring 
To arched walks of twilight groves, 
And shadows brown, that Sylvan loves, 
Of pine, or monumental oak, 
Where the rude axe, with heaved stroke, 
Was never heard the nymphs to daunt, 
Or fright them, from their hallow'd haunt. 
There, in close covert, by some brook, 
Where no profaner eye may look, 
Hide me, from day's garish eye ; 
While the bee, with honied thigh, 
That at her flowery work doth sing, 
And the waters murmuring, 
With such consort as they keep, 
Entice the dewy-feather'd sleep; 
And let some strange mysterious dream 
Wave at . his wings, in airy stream 
Of lively portraiture display'd, 
Softly on my eye-lids laid. 
And as I wake, sweet music breathe 
Above, about, or underneath, 
Sent by some spirit, to mortals good, 
Or the unseen Genius of the wood. 

But let my dew feet never fail 
To walk the studious cloisters pale, 
And love the high embowed roof, 
With antique pillars, massy proof, 
And storied windows, richly dight, 
Casting a dim religious light. 
There let the pealing organ blow, 
To the full-voic'd quire below, 
In service high, and anthems clear, 
As may with sweetness, through mine ear, 
Dissolve me into ecstacies, 
And bring all Heaven before mine eyes I 

And may, at last, my weary age 
Find out the peaceful hermitage, 
The hairy gown, and mossy cell, 
Where I may sit, and rightly spell 
Of every star that Heaven doth shew, 
And every herb that sips the dew ; 
Till old experience do attain 
To something like prophetic strain. 

These pleasures, Melancholy, give, 
And I with thee will choose to live, 
2e2 



ARCADES. 



Part of an Entertainment presented to the Countess 
Dowager of Derby at Harejield, by some noble 
persons of her family ; who appear on the scene in 
pastoral habit, moving toward the seat of state 
with this Song. 



Look, nymphs, and shepherds, look, 
What sudden blaze of majesty 
Is that which we from hence descry ? 
Too divine to be mistook : 

This, this is she, 
To whom our vows xnd wishes bend ; 
Here our solemn search hath end. 

Fame, that her high worth to raise, 
Seem'd erst so lavish and profuse, 
We may justly now accuse 
Of detraction from her praise ; 

Less than half we find express'd, 

Envy bid conceal the rest. 

Mark, what radiant state she spreads, 
In circle round her shining throne, 
Shooting her beams like silver threads ; 
This, this, is she alone, 

Sitting like a goddess bright, 

In the centre of her light. 

Might she the wise Latona be 
Or the tower'd Cybele, 
Mother of a hundred Gods? 
Juno dares not give her odds : 

Who had thought this clime had held 

A deity so unparallel'd? 



ARCADES. 421 

As they come forward, the Genius of the wood ap- 
pears, and turning toward them, speaks. 

Genius. 

Stay, gentle swains, for though in this disguise, 
I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes ; 
Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung 
Of that renown'd flood, so often sung, 
Divine Alpheus, who, by secret sluice, 
Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse; 
And ye, the breathing roses of the wood, 
Fair silver-buskin'd nymphs, as great and good, 
I know this quest of yours, and free intent, 
Was all in honour, and devotion meant, 
To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, 
Whom with low reverence, I adore as mine ; 
And, with all helpful service, will comply 
To further this night's glad solemnity; 
And lead ye where ye may more near behold ; 
What shallow-searching fame hath left untold ; 
Which I, full oft, amidst these shades alone, 
Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon : 
For know, by lot from Jove, I am the power 
Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower, 
To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove 
With ringlets quaint, & wanton windings wove. 
And all my plants I save from nightly ill 
Of noisome winds, and blasting vapours chill : 
And from the boughs brush off the evil dew, 
And heal the harms of thwarting thunder blue, 
Or what the cross dire-looking planet smites, 
Or hurtful worm with canker'd venom bites. 
When evening gray doth rise, I fetch my round 
Over the mount, and all this hallow'd ground ; 
And early, ere the odorous breath of morn 
Awakes the slumbering leaves, or tassell'd horn 
Shakes the high thicket, haste I all about, 
Number my ranks, and visit every sprout, 
With puissant words, & murmurs made to bless. 
But else in deep of night, when drowsiness 
Hath lock'd up mortal sense, then listen I 
To the celestial Syrens' harmony, 
That sit upon the nine infolded spheres, 
And sing to those that hold the vital shears, 
And turn the adamantine spindle round, 
On which the fate of gods and men is wound. 
Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie, ^ 



122 



To lull the daughters of Necessity. 
And keep unsteady Nature to her lav/, 
And the low world in measured motion draw 
After the heavenly tune, which none can hear 
Of human mould, with gross unpurged ear ; 
And yet such music worthiest were to blaze 
The peerless highth of her immortal praise, 
Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit, 
If my inferior hand or voice could hit 
Inimitable sounds: yet as we go, 
Whate'er the skill of lesser gods can show, 
I will assay, her worth to celebrate, 
And so attend ye toward her glittering state ; 
Where ye may, all that are of noble stem, 
Approach, and kiss her sacred vesture's hem. 



O'er the smooth enamell'd green, 
Where no print of step hath been, 
Follow me, as I sing, 
And touch the warbled string. 
Under the shady roof 
Of branching elm, star-proof. 

Follow me, 
I will bring you where she sits, 
Clad in splendor, as befits 

Her deity. 
Such a rural queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. 

III. SONG. 

( Nymphs and shepherds, dance no more 
By sandy Ladon's lilied banks; 
On old Lycseus, or Cyllene hoar, 
Trip no more in twilight ranks ; ) 
Though Erymanth your loss deplore, 

A better soil shall give ye thanks. 
From the stony Msenalus 
Bring your flocks, and live with us, 
Here ye shall have greater grace, 
To serve the Lady of this place. 
Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, 
Yet Syrinx well might wait on her. 
Such a rural queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. 



423 



Qual in colle aspro, al imbrunir di sera 
L'avezza giovinetta pastorella 
Va bagnando l'herbetta strana e bella 
Che mal si spande a disusata spera 

Fuor di sua natia alma primavera,. 
Cosi Amor meco insu la lingua snelia 
Desta ill fior novo di strania favella. 
Mentre io di te, vezzosamente altera, 

Canto, dal mio buon popol non inteso 
E'l bel Tamigi cangio col bel Arno. 
Amor lo volse, ed io a l'altrui peso 

Seppi ch' Amor cosa mai volse indarno. 
Deh ! foss'il mio cour lento e'l duro seno 
A chi pianta dal ciel si buon terreno. 



Ridonsi donne e giovani amorosi 
M' accostandosi attorno, e perche scrivi, 
Perche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e strana 
Verseggiando d' amor, e comte t'osi? 
Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana, 
E de pensieri lo miglior t'arrivi ; 
Cosi mi van burlando, altri rivi 
Altri lidi t'aspettan, ed altre onde 
Nelle cui verdi sponde 
Spuntati ad hor, ad hor a la tua chioma 
L'immortal guiderdon d' eterne frondi 
Perche alle spalle tue soverchia soma ? 
Canzon dirotti, e tu per me rispondi 
Dice mia Donna, e'l suo dir, e il mio cnore 
Questa e lingua di cui si vanta Amore. 



Diodati, e tel' dir6 con maraviglia, 
Quel ritroso io ch'amor spreggiar solea 
E de suoi lacci spesso mi ridea 
Gia caddi, ov' huom dabben talhor s'impigli 

Ne treccie d'oro, ne guanc a vermiglia 
M'abbaglian si, ma sotto nova idea 
Pellegrina bellezza che'l cuor bea, 
Portamenti alti honesti, e nelle ciglia 

Quel sereno fulgor d'amabil nero, 
Parole adorne di lingua piu d'una, 
E'l cantar che di mezzo l'hemispero 

Tr^aviar ben puo la faticosa Luna, 



SONNETS. 



TO THE NIGHTINGALE. 



O Nightingale, that, on yon bloomy spray, 
Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still, 
Thou, with fresh hope, the lover's heart dost fill, 
While the jolly Hours lead on propitious May. 

Thy liquid notes, that close the eye of day, 
First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, 
Portend success in love ; O, if Jove's will 
Have link'd that amorous power to thy soft lay, 

Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate 
Foretell my hopeless doom, in some grove nigh ; 
As thou, from year to year, hast sung too late 

For my relief, yet hadst no reason why : 
Whether the Muse, or Love, call thee his mate, 
Both them I serve, and of their train am I. 



Donna leggiadra, il cui bel nome honora 
L' herbosa val di Rheno, e il nobil varco ; 
Bene e colui d'ogni valore scarco 
Qual tuo spirto gentil non innamora ; 

Che dolcemente mostra si di fuora 
De sui atti soavi giamai parco, 
E i don', che son d'amor saette ed arco, 
La onde Y alta tua virtu s'infiora. 

Quando tu vaga parli, o lieta canti 
Che mover possa dura alpestre legno, 
Guardi ciascun a gli occhi, ed a gli orecchi 

L'entrata, chi di te si trouva indegno ; 
Gratia sola di su gli vaglia, inanti 
Che'l disio amoroso al cuor s'invecchi. 



426 



E degli ocelli suoi auventa si gran fuoco 
Che l'incerar gli orecchi mi fia poco. 



Per certo i bei vostr'occhi, Donna mia 
Esser non puo che non sian lo mio sole 
Si mi percuoton forte, come ei suole 
Per l'arene di Libra chi s'invia, 

Mentre un caldo vapor (ne senti pria) 
Da quel lato si spinge ove mi duole, 
Che forse amanti nelle lor parole 
Chiaman sospir ; io non so che si sia : 

Parte rinchiusa, e turbida si cela 

Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo poco 
Quivi d' attorno o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela ; 

Ma quanto a gli occhi giunge a trovar loco 
Tutte le notti a me suol far piovose 
Finche mia Alba rivien colma di rose. 



Giovane piano, e semplicette amante 
Poi che fuggir me stesso in dubbio sono, 
Madonna a voi del mio cuor 1'humil dono 
Far6 divoto ; io certo a prove tante, 

L'hebbi fedele, intrepido, costante, 

De pensieri leggiadro accorto, e buono ; 
Quando rugge ilgran mondo, e scocca il tuono, 
S'arma di se, e d* intero diamante : 

Tanto del forse, e d' invidia sicuro, 
Di timori, e speranze, al popol use, 
Quanto d'ingegno, e d'alto valor vago, 

E di cetta sonora, e delle muse ; 
Sol troverete in tal parte men duro, 
Ove Amor mise l'insanabil ago. 



ON HIS BEING ARRIVED TO THE AGE OF 23.* 

How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, 
Stolen, on his wing, my three and twentieth year ! 
My hasting days fly on with full career, 
But my late spring no bud or blossom sheweth. 

Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, 
That I to manhood am arrived so near, 

* Written at Cambridge in 1631, and sent in a letter to a 
friend, who had importuned our author to take orders 



426 SONNETS. 

And inward ripeness doth much less appear, 
That some more timely-happy spirits endueth. 

Vet be it less or more, or soon or slow, 
It shall be still, in strictest measure, even 
To that same lot, however mean or high, 

Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heaven, 
All is, if I have grace to use it so 
As ever in my great Task -Master's eye. 

VIII. 
WHEN THE ASSAULT WAS INTENDED TO THE CITY. * 

Captain-, or Colonel, or Knight in arms, 

Whose chance on these defenceless doors may seize, 
If deed of honour did thee ever please, 
Guard them, & him within protect from harms. 

He can requite thee, for he knows the charms 
That call fame on such gentle acts as these, 
And he can spread thy name o'er lands & seas, 
Whatever clime the sun's bright circle warms. 
(Lift not thy spear against the Muses' bower : 
The great Emathian conqueror bid spare 
The house of Pindarus, when temple and tower 

Went to the ground : and the repeated air 
Of sad Electra's poet had the power 
To save the Athenian walls from ruin bare.'| 

to a virtuous young lady. 

Lady, that in the prime of earliest youth 

Wisely hast shunn'd the broad way & the green, 
And with those few art eminently seen, 
That labour up the hill of heavenly truth ; 

The better part with Mary and with Ruth 
Chosen thou hast ; and they that overween, 
And at thy growing virtues fret their spleen, 
No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth. 

Thy care is fix'd, and zealously attends 
To fill thy odorous lamp, with deeds of light, 
And hope, that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure, 

Thou, when the bridegroom, with his feastful friends, 
Passes to bliss, at the mid hour of night, 
Hast gain'd thy entrance, virgin wise and pure. 

• In 1642 ; the King's army having arrived at Brentford. 



427 



TO THE LADY MARGARET LEY.* 

Daughter to that good Earl, once president 
Of England's council, and her treasury, 
Who lived in both, unstain'd with gold or fee, 
And left them both, more in himself content, 

Till the sad breaking of that parliament 
Broke him, as that dishonest victory, 
At Chaeronea, fatal to liberty, 
Kill'd, with report, that old man eloquent, f 

Though later born than to have known the days 
Wherein your father flourish'd, yet by yon, 
Madam, methinks I see him living yet ; 

So well your words his noble virtues praise, 
That all both judge you to relate them true, 
And to possess them, honour 'd Margaret. 



ON THE DETRACTION WHICH FOLLOWED UPON MY 
WRITING CERTAIN TREATISES. 1645. 

A book was writ, of late, call'd Tetrachordon,J 
And woven close, both matter, form, & style; 
The subject new : it walk'd the town awhile, 

Numbering good intellects; now seldom pored on. 

Cries the stall-reader, " Bless us ! what a word on 
A title page is this !" and some, in file, 
Stand spelling false, while one might walk to Mile- 
End Green. Why, is it harder, sirs, than Gordon, 

Colkitto, or Macdonnel, or Galasp?§ 

* The daughter of Sir James Ley, whose singular learning 
and abilities raised him through all the great posts of the law, 
till he came to be made Earl of Marlborough, and Lord High 
Treasurer, and Lord President of the Council to King James I. 
He died in an advanced age ; and Milton attributes his death 
to the breaking of the Parliament : and it is true that the Par- 
liament was dissolved the 10th of March 1628-9, and he died 
on the 14th of the same month. — Newton. 

f Isocrates, the orator. The victory was gained by Philip of 
Macedon over the Athenians. — War ton. 

X This was one of Milton's books published in consequence 
of his divorce from his first wife. Tetrachordon signifies Ex- 
positions on the four chief places in Scripture which mention 
marriage or nullities in marriage. — Warton. 

§ Milton is here collecting, from his hatred to the Scots, 
what he thinks Scottish names of an ill sound. Colkitto and 
Macdonnel, are one and the same person ; a brave officer on the 
royal side, an Irishman of the Antrim family, who served un 



428 



Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek, 
That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp, 

Thy age, like ours, O Soul of Sir John Cheek,* 
Hated not learning worse than toad or asp, 

When thou taught'st Cambridge, and king Edward 
Greek. 



ON THE SAME. 

I did but prompt the age to quit their clogs, 
By the known rules of ancient liberty, 
When straight a barbarous noise environs me, 
Of owls and cuckoos, asses, apes, and dogs : 

As when those hinds, that were transform'd to frogs, 
Rail'd at Latona's twin-born progeny, 
Which after held the sun and moon in fee. 
But this is got by casting pearls to hogs ; 

That bawl for freedom, in their senseless mood 
And still revolt when truth would set them free, 
License they mean, when they cry liberty ; 

For who loves that, must first be wise and good ; 
But from that mark, how far they rove we see, 
For all this waste of wealth, and loss of blood. 



TO MR. H. LAWES, ON THE PUBLISHING HIS AIRS 

Written 1645. 

Harry, whose tuneful and well measured song 
First taught our English music how to span 
Words, with just note and accent, not to scan 
With Midas' ears, committing short and long ; 

Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng, 
With praise enough for Envy to look wan ; 
To after age thou shalt be writ the man, 

That with smooth air, could 'st humour best our tongue. 

Thou honour'st verse, and verse must lend her wing 

der Montrose. The Macdonalds of that family are styled, hy 
way of distinction, Mac Collcittock, — that is, descendants of 
lame Colin. Galasp is a Scottish writer against the Indepen- 
dents ; for whom see Milton's verses On the Forcers of Con- 
science, &c. He is George Gillespie, one of the Scotch mem- 
bers of the Assembly of Divines. — Warton. 

* The first professor of the Greek tongue in the university 
of Cambridge, and was afterwards made one of the tutors to 
Edward VI. See his Life by Strype, or in the liiographia 
Britannica. — Newton. 



SONNETS. 429 

To honour thee, the priest of Phoebus' quire, 
That tunest their happiest lines in hymn, or story. 
Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher 
Than his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing, 
Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.) 

XIV. 

ON THE RELIGIOUS MEMORY OF MRS. CATHARINE 
THOMSON, MY CHRISTIAN FRIEND, 

Deceased December 16, 1646.* 

When Faith and Love, which parted from thee never, 
Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God, 
Meekly thou didst resign this earthly load 

Of death, call'd life; which us from life doth sever. 

Thy works and alms, and all thy good endeavour, 
Staid not behind, nor in the grave were trod ; 
But as Faith pointed, with her golden rod, 
Folio w'd thee up to joy and bliss for ever. 

Love led them on, and Faith who knew them best, 
Thy hand -maids, clad them o'er with purple beams, 
And azure wings, that up they flew so dress'd, 

And spake the truth of thee, on glorious themes, 
Before the Judge ; who thenceforth bid thee rest, 
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams. 



TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX. 

Written 1648. 

Fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings, 
Filling each mouth with envy or with praise, 
And all her jealous monarchs with amaze, 
And rumours loud, that daunt remotest kings, 

Thy firm unshaken virtue ever brings 

Victory home, though new rebellions raise 
Their hydra heads, and the false North displays 
Her broken league, to imp their serpent wings. 

O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand, 

For what can war, but endless war still breed 1 
Till truth and right from violence be freed, 

And public faith clear'd from the shameful brand 

* Dr. Newton found, in the accounts of Milton's life, that 
when he was first made Latin Secretary, he lodged at one 
Thomson's, next door to the Bull Head Tavern, at Charing 
Cross. This Mrs. Thomson was in all probability one of that 
family. 



430 



Of public fraud. In vain doth valour bleed, 
While avarice and rapine share the land. 

XVI. 
TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL. 

Written 1652. 

Cromwell, our chief of men, who, through a cloud 
Not of war only, but detractions rude, 
Guided by faith, and matchless fortitude, 
To peace & truth thy glorious way hast plough'd, 

And on the neck of crowned fortune proud, 
Hast rear'd God's trophies, and his work pursued ; 
While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots imbrued, 
And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud, 

And Worcester's laureat wreath. Yet much remains 
To conquer still; peace hath her victories 
No less renown'd than war : new foes arise, 

Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains : 
Help us to save free conscience from the paw 
Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw. 



TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER. 

Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old, 
Than whom a better senator ne'er held 
The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repell'd 
The fierce Epirot, and the African bold, 

Whether to settle peace, or to unfold 
The drift of hollow states, hard to be spell'd ; 
Then to advise how war may, best upheld, 
Move by her two main nerves, iron and gold, 

In all her equipage : besides, to know 

Both spiritual power & civil, what each means, 
What severs each, thou hast learn'd, which few have 

The bounds of either sword to thee we owe : [done. 
Therefore, on thy firm hand Religion leans 
In peace, and reckons thee her eldest son. 

* Sir Henry Vane the younger was the chief of the Inde- 
pendents, and therefore Milton's friend. He was the contriver 
of the Solemn League and Covenant. In the pamphlets of 
that age he is called Sir Humorous Vanity. He was beheaded 
in 1662. 



43/ 



ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN PIEDMONT, 1655. 

Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones 
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold ; 
Even them, who kept thy truth so pure of old, 
When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks & stones, 

Forget not : in thy book record their groans, 
Who were thy sheep, and, in their ancient fold 
Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that roll'd 
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans 

The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 
To Heaven. Their martyr' d blood & ashes sow 
O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway 

The triple tyrant ; that from these may grow 
A hundred fold, who, having learn'd thy way, 
Early may fly the Babylonian woe. 



fN HIS BLINDNESS. 

When I consider how my light is spent, 

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 
And that one talent which is death to hide, 
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent 

To serve therewith my Maker, and present 
My true account, lest he, returning, chide; 
" Doth God exact day-labour, light denied V* 
I fondly ask : but patience, to prevent 

That murmur, soon replies, " God doth not need 
Either man's work, or his own gifts ; who best 
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best : his state 

Is kingly ; thousands at his bidding speed, 
And post o'er land and ocean without rest ; 
(They also serve, who only stand and wait." ] 



TO MR. LAWRENCE. 

Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son,* 
Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, 
Where shall we sometimes meet, and, by the fire, 

* The virtuous son was author of a work " Of our Commu- 
nion with Angels," printed in 1646. The father was member 
for Herefordshire, in the Little Parliament which began in 
lu'53, and was active in settling the protectorate of Cromwell. 



432 



Help waste a sullen day, what may be won 
From the hard season gaining? time will run 
On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire 
The frozen earth, and clothe, in fresh attire, 
The lily and rose, that neither sow'd nor spun. 
What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, 
Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise 
To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice 
Warble immortal notes, and Tuscan air? 
He, who of those delights can judge, and spare 
To interpose them oft, is not unwise. 



TO CYRIACK SKINNER.* 

Cyriack, whose grandsire, on the royal bench 
Of British Themis, with no mean applause, 
Pronounced, and in his volumes taught, our laws, 
Which others, at their bar, so often wrench ; 

To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 
In mirth, that after no repenting draws ; 
Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause, 

And what the Swede intends, and what the French 

To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 
Toward solid good what leads the nearest way ; 
For other things, mild Heaven a time ordains, 

And disapproves that care, though wise in show, 
That with superfluous burden loads the day, 

And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. 



TO THE SAME. 

Cyriack, this three-years-day, these eyes, though 
To outward view, of blemish or of spot, [clear, 
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, 
Nor, to their idle orbs, doth sight appear 

Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, 
Or man, or woman. ( Yet I argue not 
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot 

Of heart or hope ; but still bear up, and steer 

Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask ? 
The conscience, friend, to havelost them, overplied, 

* Cyriack Skinner was one of the principal members of 
Harrington's political club. Wood says that he was " an 
ingenious young gentleman, and scholar to John Milton ; which 
Skinner sometimes held the chair." — Ath. Oxon. ii. 591. 



433 



In liberty's detence, my noble task, 
Of which all Europe rings from side to side, [mask, 
This thought might lead me through the world's vain 
Content, though blind, had I no better guide.^ 



ON HIS DECEASED WIFE.* 

Methought I saw my late espoused saint, 
Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, 
Whom Jove^s great son to her glad husband gave, 
Rescued from death by force, though pale and fain 

Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint, 
Purification in the old law did save, 
And such, as yet once more I trust to have 
Full sight of her in Heaven, without restraint, 

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : 
Her face was veil'd, yet, to my fancied sight, 
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined 

So clear, as in no face with more delight. 
But O, as to embrace me she inclined, 

I waked, she fled, (and day brought back my night] 

* This Sonnet was written about the year 1656, on the death 
of liis second wife, Catherine, the daughter of Captain Wood- 
cock, of Hackney, a rigid sectarist. She died in child-bed of a 
daughter, within a year after their marriage. Milton had now 
been long totally blind. 



ODES 



ON THE 

MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY.* 

This is the month, and this the happy morn, 
Wherein the Son of Heaven's eternal King, 
Of wedded maid, and virgin mother born, 
Our great redemption from above did bring ; 
For so the holy sages once did sing, 

That he our deadly forfeit should release, 
And, with his Father, work us a perpetual peace. 

That glorious form, that light unsufferable, 

And that far-beaming blaze of majesty, 

Wherewith he wont, at Heaven's high council-table 

To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, 

He laid aside ;7and here with us to be, 

Forsook the courts of everlasting day, 
And chose, with us, a darksome house of mortal clay.) 

Say heavenly muse, shall not thy sacred vein 

Afford a present to the Infant-God ? 

Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, 

To welcome him to this his new abode, 

Now while the Heaven, by the sun's team untrod, 

Hath took no print of the approaching light, 
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons 
bright ? 

See how from far, upon the eastern road, 
The star-led wizards haste, with odours sweet : 
O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, 
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; 
Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet, 

And join thy voice unto the angel quire ; 
From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd tire. ) 

* This Ode, in which the many learned allusions are highly 
poetical, was probably composed as a college exercise at Cam- 
bridge, our author being now only twenty-one years old. In the 
edition of 1645, in its title it is said to have been written in 1629. 



435 



THE HYMN. 

It was the winter wild, 
While the Heaven-born child, 

All meanly wrapt, in the rude manger lies ; 
Nature, in awe to him, 
Had dofPd her gaudy trim, 

With her great Master so to sympathize : 
It was no season then for her 
To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour. 

Only with speeches fair 
She wooes the gentle air, 

To hide her guilty front, with innocent snow ; 
And, on her naked shame, 
Pollute with sinful blame, 

The saintly veil of maiden white to throw ; 
f Confounded, that her Maker's eyes 
Should look so near upon her foul deformities. 

But he, her fears to cease, 
Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace ; 

She, crown'd with olive green, came softly sliding 
Down, through the turning sphere, 
His ready harbinger, 

With turtle wing, the amprous clouds dividing ; 
And, waving wide her myrtle wand 
She strikes an universal peace, through sea & land. 

No war, or battle's sound, 
Was heard, the world around: 

The idle spear & shield were high up hung, 
The hooked chariot stood, 
Unstain'd with hostile blood, 

The trumpet spake not to the armed throng ; 
And kings sat still, with awful eye, 
As if they surely knew their sovereign Lord was by. 

f But peaceful was the night, 
W r herein the Prince of Light 

His reign of peace upon the earth began : 
The winds, with wonder whist, 
Smoothly the waters kiss'd, 

Whispering new joys to the mild ocean ; 
Who now hath quite forgot to rave, 
While birds of calm sitbrooding on the charmed wave 
2 y 2 



436 



The stars, with deep amaze, 
Stand rix'd in stedfast gaze, 

Bending one way their precious influence ; 
And will not take their flight, 
For all the morning light, 

Or Lucifer, that often warn'd them thence; 
But in their glimmering orbs did glow, 
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.) 

And though the shady gloom 
Had given day her room, 

The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, 
And hid his head for shame, 
As his inferior flame 

The new-enlighten'd wprld no more should need ; 
He saw a greater sun appear [bear. 

Than his bright throne, or burning axletree could 

The shepherds, on the lawn, 
Or e'er the point of dawn, 

Sat simply chatting, in a rustic row ; 
Full little thought they than 
That the mighty Pan 

Was kindly come to live with them below ; 
Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, 
Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. 

When such music sweet 
Their hearts and ears did greet, 

As never was by mortal finger strook ; 
Divinely warbled voice 
Answering the stringed noise, 

As all their souls in blissful rapture took : 
The air, such pleasure loth to lose, [close. 

With thousand echoes, still prolongs each heavenly 

Nature, that heard such sound, 
Beneath the hollow round 

Of Cynthia's seat, the aery region thrilling, 
Now was almost won, 
To think her part was done, 

And that her reign had here its last fulfilling ; 
She knew such harmony, alone, 
Could hold all Heaven & nirth in happier union. 



odes. 437 

At last surrounds their sight 
A globe of circular light, 

That with long beams the shamefac'd night 

The helmed cherubim, [array'd; 

* And sworded seraphim, [play'd, 

Are seen in glittering ranks, with wings dis- 
Harping, in loud and solemn quire, [Heir. 

With unexpressive notes, to Heaven's new-born 

Such music, as 'tis said, 
Before was never made, 

But when of old the sons of morning sung ; 
While the Creator great 
His constellations set, 

And the well-balanced world on hinges hung ; 
And cast the dark foundations deep, [keep. 

And bid the weltering waves their oozy channel 

{ Ring out, ye crystal spheres, 
Once bless our human ears, 

If ye have power to touch our senses so ; 
And let your silver chime 
Move in melodious time, 

And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow ; 
And, with your ninefold harmony, 
Make up full consort to the angelic symphony.* 

For if such holy song 
Enwrap our fancy long, 

Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold ; 
And speckled Vanity 
Will sicken soon and die, 

And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould, 
And Hell itself will pass away, 
And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 

Yea, Truth and Justice then 
Will down return to men, 

Orb'd in a rainbow ; &, like glories wearing, 
Mercy, will sit between, 
Throned in celestial sheen, 

With radiant feet the tissued clouds down 
And Heaven, as at some festival, [steering 

Will open wide the gates of her high palace hall. 

But wisest Fate says no, 
This must not yet be so. 



438 odes. 

The Babe yet lies in smiling infancy, 
That, on the bitter cross, 
Must redeem our loss ; 

So both himself and us to glorify ; 
Yet first to those 'ychain'd in sleep [the deep, 

The wakeful trump of doom must thunder through 
With such a horrid clang, 
As on mount Sinai rang, 

While the red fire and smouldring clouds out 
The aged Earth aghast, [brake : 

With terror of that blast, 

Shall from the surface to the centre shake ; 
When, at the world's last session, [throne. 

The dreadful Judge, in middle air, shall spread his 
And then at last our bliss 
Full and perfect is, 

But now begins ; for, from this happy day, 
The old dragon, under ground, 
In straiter limits bound, 

Not half so far casts his usurped sway ; 
And wroth to see his kingdom fail, 
Swindges the scaly horror of his folded tail. 

I The oracles are dumb, 
No voice or hideous hum 

Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. 
Apollo, from his shrine, 
Can no more divine, 

With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving. 
No nightly trance, or breathed spell, 
Inspires the pale-ey'd priest, from the prophetic cell. 
The lonely mountains o'er, 
And the resounding shore, 

A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament ; 
From haunted spring, and dale 
Edg'd with poplar pale, 

The parting genius is with sighing sent ; 
With flower-inwoven tresses torn, [mourn. 

The nymphs, in twilight shade of tangled thickets ) 
In consecrated earth, 
And on the holy hearth, 

The Lars, and Lemures moan, with midnight 
In urns, and altars round, [plaint ; 

A drear and dying sound 

Affrights the Flamens, at their service quaint: 
And the chill marble seems to sweat, 
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat 



odes. 439 

Poor and Baalim 
Forsake their temples dim, 

With that twice-batter'd god of Palestine ; 
And mooned Ashtaroth, 
Heaven's queen and mother both, 

Now sits not girt with tapers' holy shine ; 
The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn, [mourn. 

In vain the Tyrian maids their wounded Thammuz 

And sullen Moloch, fled 
Hath left, in shadows dread 

His burning idol, all of blackest hue ; 
In vain with cymbals' ring 
They call the grisly king, 

In dismal dance about the furnace blue : 
The brutish Gods of Nile as fast, 
Isis, and Orus, and the dog Anubis haste. 

Nor is Osiris seen 

In Memphian grove or green, 

Trampling the unshower'd grass with lowings 
Nor can he be at rest [loud ; 

Within his sacred chest, 

Nought but profoundest Hell can be his shroud ; 
In vain with timbrell'd anthems dark, 
The sable-stol'd sorcerers bear his worshipt ark. 

He feels, from Juda's land, 
The dreaded Infant's hand, 

The rays of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn ; 
Nor all the gods beside, 
Longer dare abide, 

Not Typhon huge, ending in snaky twine : 
Our Babe, to show his godhead true, [crew. 
Can in his swaddling bands control the damned 

/ 
So when the sun in bed, 
Curtain 'd with cloudy red, 

Pillows his chin upon an orient wave, 
The flocking shadows pale 
Troop to the infernal jail, 

Each fetter'd ghost slips to his several grave, 
And the yellow-skirted Fayes [maze. 

Fly after the night-steeds, leaving their moon-loved ) 

But see, the virgin bless'd 
Hath laid her Babe to rest, 



440 



Time is our tedious song should here have ending: 
Heaven's youngest-teemed star 
Hath fix'd her polish'd car, 

Her sleeping Lord with handmaid lamp attending ■ 
And all about the courtly stable 
Biight-hamess'd angels sit, in order serviceable.) 



THE PASSION. 

Erewhile of music, and ethereal mirth, 
Wherewith the stage of air and earth did ring, 
And joyous news of heavenly infant's birth, 
My muse with angels did divide to sing ; 
But headlong joy is ever on the wing, 

In wintery solstice, like the shorten'd light, 
Soon swallow'd up in dark, and long outliving night. 
For now to sorrow must I tune my song, 
And set my harp to notes of saddest woe, 
Which on our dearest Lord did seize, ere long, 
Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse than so, 
Which he, for us, did freely undergo : 

Most perfect hero, tried in heaviest plight 
Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight ! 
He, sovereign priest, stooping his regal head, 
That dropt with odorous oil down his fair eyes, 
Poor fleshy tabernacle entered, 
His starry front low-roof 'd, beneath the skies ; 
O what a mask was there, what a disguise ! 

Yet more ; the stroke of death he must abide, 
Then lies him meekly down, fast by his brethren's side. 
These latest scenes confine my roving verse ; 
To this horizon is my Phoebus bound : 
His godlike acts, and his temptations fierce, 
And former sufferings, other where are found ; 
Loud o'er the rest Cremona's trump doth sound ; 

Me softer airs befit, and softer strings 
Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful things. 
Befriend me, Night, best patroness of grief, 
Over the pole thy thickest mantle throw, 
And work my flatter'd fancy to belief, 
That Heaven and earth are colour'd with my woe ; 
My sorrows are too dark for day to know : 

The leaves should all be black whereon I write, [white; 
And letters, where my tears have wash'd, a wannish 



ODES 44\ 

See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, 
That whirl'd the prophet up at Chebar flood, 
My spirit some transporting cherub feels, 
To bear me where the towers of Salem stood, 
Once glorious towers, now sunk in guiltless blood ; 

There doth my soul in holy vision sit, 
In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatic fit. 

Mine eye hath found that sad sepulchral rock, 
That was the casket of Heaven's richest store, 
And here, though grief my feeble hands up lock, 
Yet on the soften'd quarry would I score 
My plaining verse, as lively as before ; 

For sure so well instructed are my tears, 
That they would fitly fall in order'd characters. 

Or should I thence hurried, on viewless wing, 
Take up a weeping, on the mountains wild, 
The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring 
Would soon unbosom all their echoes mild, 
And I, for grief is easily beguiled, 

Might think the infection of my sorrows loud 
Had got a race of mourners, on some pregnant cloud 

This subject the Author finding to be above the years 
he had, when he wrote it, and nothing satisfied 
with what was^begun, left it unfinished. 



UPON THE CIRCUMCISION. 

Ye flaming powers, and winged warriors bright 
That erst, with music, and triumphant song 
First heard by happy watchful shepherds' ear 
So sweetly sung your joy, the clouds along, 
Through the soft silence of the listening night, 
Now mourn ; and if, sad share with us to bear 
Your fiery essence can distil no tear, 
Burn in your sighs, and borrow 
Seas, wept from our deep sorrow : 
He, who, with all Heaven's heraldry, whilere 
Enter'd the world, now bleeds to give us ease ; 
Alas, how soon our sin 
Sore doth begin 

His infancy to seize ! 
0, more exceeding love or law more just r 
Just law indeed, but more exceeding love I 



442 



For we, by rightful doom, remediless, 
Were lost in death, till he, that dwelt above, 
Hgh throned in secret bliss, for us, frail dust, 
Emptied his glory, even to nakedness : 
And that great covenant, which we still transgress, 
Entirely satisfied, 
And the full wrath beside 
Of vengeful justice, bore for our excess ; 
And seals obedience first, with wounding smart, 
This day, but O ! ere long, 
Huge pangs and strong 

Will pierce more near his heart. 



ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT, 

Dying of a Cough * 

O kairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted ! 
Soft silken primrose, fading timelessly, 
Summer's chief honour, if thou hadst outlasted 
Bleak Winter's force, that made thy blossom dry ; 
For he, being amorous, on that lovely dye, 

That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss ; 
But kill'd, alas, and then bewail'd his fatal bliss. 

For since grim Aquilo, his charioteer, 
By boisterous rape the Athenian damsel got, 
He thought it touch'd his deity full near, 
If likewise he some fair one wedded not ; 
Thereby to wipe away the infamous blot 

Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld, [held. 
Which, 'mongst the wanton gods, a foul reproach was 

So, mounting up in icy-pearled car, 
Through middle empire of the freezing air, 
He wander'd long, till thee he spied from far : 
There ended was his quest, there ceased his care; 
Down he descended, from his snow-soft chair, 

But, all unwares, with his cold-kind embrace, 
Vnhoused thy virgin soul from her fair biding place. 

Vet art thou not inglorious in thy fate ; 
For so Apollo, with unweeting hand, 

* Written in 1625, and first inserted in edition 1(573. He 
w.'.s now seventeen.-;- Warton. 



odes. 443 

Whilom did slay his dearly-loved mate, 
Young Hyacinth, born on Eurotas' strand, 
Young Hyacinth, the pride of Spartan land : 

But then transform'd him to a purple flower : 
Alack that so to change thee Winter had no power. 

Yet can I not persuade me thou art dead, 
Or that thy corse corrupts in earth's dark womb ; 
Or that thy beauties lie in wormy bed, 
Hid from the world, in a low-delved tomb ; 
Could Heaven, for pity, thee so strictly doom ? 
Oh no ! for something in thy face did shine, 
Above mortality, that show'd thou was divine. 

Resolve me then, oh soul most surely bless'd, 
If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear, 
Tell me, bright spirit, where'er thou hoverest, 
Whether above that high first-moving sphere, 
Or in the Elysian fields, if such there were, 
O say me true, if thou wert mortal wight, 
And why, from us so quickly, thou didst take thy flight. 

Wert thou some star, which, from the ruin'd roof 
Of shaked Olimpus, by mischance didst fall ; 
Which careful Jove, in nature's true behoof, 
Took up, and in fit place did reinstall ? 
Or did of late earth's sons besiege the wall 

Of sheeny Heaven, & thou some goddess fled 
Amongst vs f here below, to hide thy nectar'd head ? 

Or wert thou that just maid, who, once before, 
Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth, 
And earnest again to visit us once more ? 
Or wert thou that sweet-smiling youth ? 
Or that crown'd matron sage, white-rob'd Truth ? 
Or any other of that heavenly brood, [good ? 
Let down in cloudy throne, to do the world some 

Or wert thou of the golden- winged host, 
Who, having clad thyself in human weed, 
To earth, from thy prefixed seat, didst post, 
And after short abode fly back with speed, 
As if to show what creatures Heaven doth breed, 

Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire, 
To scorn the sordid world, and unto Heaven aspire ? 

But oh, why didst thou not stay here below, 
To bless us with thy heaven-loved innocence, 
To slake his wrath whom sin hath made our foe, 



444 



To turn swift- rushing black perdition hence, 
Or, drive away the slaughtering pestilence, 
To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart ? 
But thou canst best perform that office where thou art. 

Then thou, the mother of so sweet a child, 
Her false-imagined loss cease to lament, 
And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild ; 
Think what a present thou to God hast sent, 
And render him with patience what he lent ; 

This if thou do, he will an offspring give, [to live. 
That, till the world's last end, shall make thy name 



ON TIME.* 

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race; 
Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours, 
Whose speed is but the heavy plummet's pace ; 
And glut thyself with what thy womb devours, 
Which is no more than what is false and vain, 
And merely mortal dross ; 
So little is our loss, 
So little is thy gain. 

For when, as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd 
And last of all thy greedy self consumed, 
Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss, 
With an individual kiss ; 
And Joy shall overtake us, as a flood, 
When every thing that is sincerely good, 
And perfectly divine, 

With truth, and peace, and love, shall ever shine, 
About the supreme throne 
Of Him, to whose happy-making sight, alone, 
When once our heavenly-guided soul shall climb, 
Then all this earthly grossness quit, 
Attired with stars, we shall for ever sit, [O Time ! 
Triumphing over Death and Chance, and thee, 



AT A SOLEMN MUSIC 

Bless'd pair of Syrens, pledges of Heaven's joy, 
Sphere-born harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse, 
Wed your divine sounds, and mix'd power employ, 
Dead things, with inbreathed sense able to pierce; 
And, to our high-raised phantasy, present 
That undisturbed song of pure consent, 

* In Milton's manuscript, written with his own hand, vol. 8« 
the title is, " On Time. To be set on a clock-case." 



odes 445 

Aye sung before the sapphire-colour'd throne 

To Him that sits thereon, 

With saintly shout, and solemn jubilee, 

Where the bright seraphim, in burning row, 

Their loud up-lifted angel-trumpets blow ; 

And the cherubic host, in thousand quires, 

Touch their immortal harps, of golden wires, 

With those just spirits, that wear victorious palms, 

Hymns devout and holy psalms 

Singing everlastingly ; 

That we on earth, with undiseording voice, 

May rightly answer that melodious noise ; 

As once we did, till disproportion'd sin 

Jarr'd against nature's chime, and, with harsh din, 

Broke the fair music, that all creatures made 

To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd, 

In perfect diapason, whilst they stood 

In first obedience, and their state of good. 

O may we soon again renew that song, 

And keep in tune with Heaven, till God, erelong 

To his celestial concert us unite, 

To live with him and sing in endless morn of light. 

AN EPITAPH 

ON THE 

MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER/ 

This rich marble doth inter 
The honoured wife of Winchester, 
A viscount's daughter, an earl's heir, 
Besides what her virtues fair 
Added to her noble birth, 
More than she could own from earth. 
Summers three times eight, save one, 
She had told; alas, too soon, 
After so short time of breath, 
To house with darkness and with death. 
Yet had the number of her days 
Been as complete as was her praise, 
Nature and fate had had no strife, 
In giving limit to her life. 

Her high birth, and her graces sweet, 
Quickly found a lover meet; 
The virgin quire, for her, request 

• Jane, daughter of Thomas, Viscount Savage, and wife of 
John, Marquis of Winchester. 



446 odes. 

The god that sits at marriage feast ; 
He, at their invoking, came, 
But with a scarce well-fighted flame ; 
And in his garland, as he stood, 
Ye might discern a cypress bud. 
Once had the early matrons run 
To greet her of a lovely son, 
And now with second hope she goes 
And calls Lucina to her throes; 
But, whether by mischance or blame, 
Atropos for Lucina came; 
And, with remorseless cruelty, 
Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree : 
The hapless babe, before his birth, 
Had burial, yet not laid in earth ; 
And the languish'd mother's womb 
Was not long a living tomb. 

So have I seen some tender slip, 
Saved with care from winter's nip, 
The pride of her carnation train, 
Pluck'd up, by some unheedy swain, 
Who only thought to crop the flower, 
New shot up from vernal shower ; 
But the fair blossom hangs the head, 
Side-ways, as on a dying bed, 
And those pearls of dew she wears, 
\ Prove to be presaging tears, 
Which the sad morn had let fall 
On her hastening funeral. 

Gentle lady, may thy grave 
Peace and quiet ever have; 
After this, thy travail sore 
Sweet rest seize thee evermore, 
That, to give the world increase, 
Shorten'd hast thy own life's lease. 
Here, besides the sorrowing 
That thy noble house doth bring, 
Here be tears of perfect moan 
Wept for thee in Helicon, 
And some flowers, and some bays, 
For thy hearse, to strew the ways, 
Sent thee from the banks of Came, 
Devoted to thy virtuous name ; 
Whilst thou, bright saint, high sit'st in glory, 
Next her, much like to thee in story, 
That fair Syrian shepherdess, 
Who, after years of barrenness, 



447 



The highly favour'd Joseph bore, 
To him that served for her before, 
And, at her next birth, much like thee, 
Through pangs fled to felicity, 
Far within the bosom bright 
Of blazing Majesty, and Light : 
There with thee, new welcome saint, 
Like fortunes may her soul acquaint, 
With thee there clad in radiant sheen, 
No marchioness, but now a queen. 



SONG ON MAY MORNING. 

Now the bright morning-star, day's harbinger, 
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her 
The flowery May, who from her green lap, throws 
The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. 
Hail bounteous May, that dost inspire 
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire ; 
Woods and groves are of thy dressing, 

Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing, 
Thus we salute thee with our early song, 

And welcome thee, and wish thee long. 



MISCELLANIES. 



ANNO jETATIS XIX. 

At a Vacation Exercise in the College, part 
Latin, part English. The hatin speeches ended t 
the English thus began. 

Written in 1627. 

Hail native language, that, by sinews weak, 
Didst move my first endeavouring tongue to speak 
And madest imperfect words, with childish trips, 
Half unpronounced, slide through my infant-lips, 
Driving dumb silence from the portal door, 
Where he had mutely sat two years before : 
Here I salute thee, and thy pardon ask, 
That now I use thee in my latter task : 
Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee, 
I know my tongue but little grace can do thee, 
Thou need'st not be ambitious to be first, 
Believe me I have thither pack'd the worst : 
And, if it happen, as I did forecast, 
The daintiest dishes shall be serv'd up last; 
I pray thee then deny me not thy aid, 
For this same small neglect, that I have made : 
But haste thee straight to do me once a pleasure, 
And, from thy wardrobe, bring thy chiefest treasure ; 
Not those new-fangled toys, and trimming slight, 
Which takes our late fantastics with delight, 
But call those richest robes, and gay'st attire, 
Which deepest spirits, and choicest wits desire : 
I have some naked thoughts, that rove about, 
And loudly knock to have their passage out ; 
And, weary of their place, do only stay 
Till thou hast deck'd them in thy best array ; 
That so they may, without suspect or fears, 
Fly swiftly to this fair assembly's ears; 
Yet I had rather, if I were to chuse, 
Thy service in some graver subject use ; 



MISCELLANIES. 449 

Such as may make thee search thy coffers round, 

Before thou clothe my fancy in fit sound : 

Such, where the deep transported mind may soar 

Above the wheeling poles, and at Heaven's door 

Look in, and see each blissful deity, 

How he before the thunderous throne doth lie, 

Listening to what unshorn Apollo sings, 

To the touch of golden wires, while Hebe brings 

Immortal nectar to her kingly sire. 

Then, passing through the spheres of watchful fire, 

And misty regions of wide air next under, 

And hills of snow, and lofts of piled thunder, 

May tell, at length how green-eyed Neptune raves, 

In Heaven's defiance, mustering all his waves. 

Then sing of secret things, that came to pass, 

When beldam Nature in her cradle was ; 

And last, of kings, and queens, and heroes old, 

Such as the wise Demodocus once told, 

In solemn songs, at king Alcinous' feast, 

While sad Ulysses' soul, and all the rest, 

Are held, with his melodious harmony, 

In willing chains, and sweet captivity. 

But fie, my wandering Muse, how thou dost stray I 

Expectance calls thee now another way, 

Thou know'st it must be now thy only bent 

To keep in compass of thy predicament : 

Then quick about thy purposed business come, 

That, to the next, I may resign my room. 



Then Ens is represented as father of the Predica 
ments, his two sons, whereof the eldest stood for 
Substance, with his canons, which Ens, thus speak- 
ing, explains. 

Good luck befriend thee, son ; for at thy birth, 
The faery ladies danced upon the hearth ; 
Thy drowsy nurse hath sworn she did them spy, 
Come tripping to the room, where thou didst lie, 
And sweetly singing round about thy bed, 
Strew all their blessings on thy sleeping head. 
She heard them give thee this, that thou shouldst still, 
From eyes of mortals, walk invisible : 
Yet there is something that doth force my fear, 
For once it was my dismal hap to hear 
A Sibyl old, bow-bent with crooked age, 
That far events full wisely could presage, 

2G 



450 MISCELLANIES. 

And, in time's long and dsrk prospective glass, 
Foresaw what future days should bring to pass ; 

" Your son," says she, " nor can you it preven,, 
Shall subject be to many an accident. 
O'er all his brethren he shall reign a king, 
Yet every one shall make him underling, 
And those, that cannot live from him asunder, 
Ungratefully shall strive to keep him under ; 
In worth and excellence he shall out-go them, 
Yet, being above them, he shall be below them ; 
From others he shall stand in need of nothing, 
Yet on his brothers shall depend for clothing, 
To find a foe it shall not be his hap, 
And peace shall lull him in her flowery lap ; 
Yet shall he live in strife, and at his door, 
Devouring war shall never cease to roar : 
Yea, it shall be his natural property 
To harbour those that are at enmity. 
What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not 
Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot V 



The next. Quantity and Quality spake in prose , 
then Relation was called by the same. 

Rivers, arise : whether thou be the son 

Of utmost Tweed, or Oose, or gulfy Dun, 

Or Trent, who, like some earth-born giant, spreads 

His thirsty arms, along the indented meads, 

Or sullen Mole, that runneth underneath, 

Or Severn swift, guilty of maiden's death, 

Or rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee, 

Or coaly Tine, or ancient hallow'd Dee ; 

Or Humber loud, that keeps the Scythian's name ; 

Or Medway smooth, or royal-tower'd Thame, 

[The rest was prose.] 
AN EPITAPH 

ON THE ADMIRABLE DRAMATIC POET, 

W. SHAKSPEARE.* 

What needs my Shakspeare, for his honour'd bones, 
The labour of an age in piled stones ? 

•This Epitaph is dated 1630, in Milton's own edition of his 
poems, in 1673. 



MISCELLANIES. 451 

Or that his hallow 'd reliqires should be hid, 

Under a star-ypointing pyramid? 

Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, 

What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name ? 

Thou, in our wonder and astonishment, 

Hast built thyself a live-long monument. 

For whilst, to the shame of slow- endeavouring art, 

Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart 

Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book, 

Those Delphic lines with deep impression took, 

Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving, 

Dost make us marble, with too much conceiving ; 

And so sepulchred in such pomp dost lie, 

That kings for such a tomb would wish to die. 



ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, 

Who sickened at the time of his vacancy, being forbid 
to go to London, by reason of the Plague* 

Here lies old Hobson ; Death hath broke his girt, 

And here, alas, hath lard him in the dirt ; 

Or else the ways being foul, twenty to one, 

He's here stuck in a slough, and overthrown. 

Twas such a shifter, that if truth were known, 

Death was half glad when he had got him down ; 

For he had, any time this ten years full, 

Dodg'd with him, betwixt Cambridge and The BuU.i 

And surely Death could never have prevail'd, 

Had not his weekly course of carriage fail'd ; 

But lately finding him so long at home, 

And thinking now his journey's end was come, 

And that he had ta'en up his latest inn, 

In the kind office of a chamberlain, 

Show'd him his room, where he must lodge that night, 

Pull'd off his boots, and took away the light. 

If any ask for him, it shall be said, 

" Hobson has supp'd, and 's newly gone to bed." 



ANOTHER ON THE SAME. 

Here lieth one, who did most truly prove 
That he could never die while he could move ; 

•Hobson, the Cambridge earner, died Jan. 1, 1630, while 
the plague was in London, 
f In Bishopsgate-street, London. 

2G2 



452 



So hung his destiny, never to rot, 
While he might still jog on and keep his trot ; 
Made of sphere-metal, never to decay, 
Until his revolution was at stay. 
Time numbers motion, yet without a crime 
'Gainst old truth motion number'd out his time ; 
And like an engine moved with wheel and weight, 
His principles being ceased, he ended straight. 
Rest, that gives all men life, gave him his death, 
And too much breathing put him out of breath ; 
Nor were it contradiction to affirm, 
Too long vacation hasten'd on his term. 
Merely to drive the time away he sicken'd, 
Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quicken'd ; 
" Nay," quoth he, "on his swooning bed outstretch'd, 
If I mayn't carry, sure I'll ne'er be fetch'd ; 
But vow, though the cross doctors all stood hearers, 
For one carrier put down to make six bearers." 
Ease was his chief disease, and to judge right, 
He died for heaviness, that his cart went light ; 
His leisure told him, that his time was come, 
And lack of load made his life burdensome, 
That e'n to his last breath, there be that say it, 
As he were press'd to death, he cried, "More weight ;*' 
But had his doings lasted as they were, 
He had been an immortal carrier. 
Obedient to the moon, he spent his date 
In course reciprocal, and had his fate 
Link'd to the mutual flowing of the seas, 
Yet, strange to think, his wain was his increase: 
His letters are deliver'd all, and gone, 
Only remains this superscription. 



ODES. 453 

ON THE NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE UNDER THE 

LONG PARLIAMENT. 

Because you have thrown off your Prelate-Lord, 
And with stiff vows, renounced his Liturgy, 
To seize the widow'd whore Plurality, 
From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorr'd, 

Dare ye, for this, adjure the civil sword, 
To force our consciences, that Christ set free ; 
And ride us with a classic hierarchy, 
Taught ye by mere A. S.* and Rutherford ?f 

Men, whose life, learning, faith, and pure intent, 
Would have been held in high esteem with Paul, 
Must now be named and printed Heretics, 

By shallow EdwardsJ and Scotch what d'ye call :|| 
But we do hope to find out all your tricks, 
Your plots and packing, worse than those of Trent ; 
That so the Parliament 

May, with their wholesome and preventive shears, 

Clip your phylacteries, though balk your ears, 
And succour our just fears, 

When they shall read this clearly in your charge, 

New Presbyter is but Old Priest, writ large. 

* Adam Steuart, a Divine of the Church of Scotland. 

f Samuel Rutherford, one of the chief Commissioners of the 
Church of Scotland, and Professor of Divinity in the Univer- 
sity of St. Andrew's- 

X Thomas Edwards, minister, a pamphleteering opponent of 
Milton. 

[| Perhaps Henderson, or Gillespie, Scotch divines. 



TRANSLATIONS. 



THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE, LIB. I 

AVhat slender youth, bedew'd with liquid odours^ 
Courts thee on roses, in some pleasant cave, 

Pyrrha? For whom bind'st thou 

In wreaths thy golden hair, 
Plain in thy neatness? O, how oft shall he 
On faith and changed gods complain, and seas 

Rough with black winds, and storms 

Unwonted, shall admire ! 
Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold, 
Who, always vacant, always amiable, 

Hopes thee, of flattering gales 

Unmindful. Hapless they, [vow'd 

To whom thou, untried, seem'st fair. Me, in my 
Picture, the sacred wall declares to have hung 

My dank and dropping weeds, 

To the stern god of sea. 

FROM JEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH.* 

Brutus thus addresses Diana in the country 
of Leogecia. 

Goddess of shades, and huntress, who at will 
Walk'st on the rolling spheres, and through the deep ; 
On thy third reign, the earth, look now, and tell 
What land, what seat of rest, thou bidst me seek. 
What certain seat, where I may worship thee 
For aye, with temples vow'd and virgin quires. 

To whom, sleeping before the altar, Diana answers 
in a vision the same night. 

Brutus, far to the west, in th ocean wide, 
Beyond the realm of Gaul, a land there lies, 
Seagirt it lies, where giants dwelt of old ; 

*Hist. Brit. i. xi. " Diva potens nemorum," &c. 



TRANSLATIONS. 



4.55 



Now void, it fits thy people : thither bend 

Thy course ; there shalt thou find a lasting seat ; 

There to thy sons another Troy shall rise, 

And kings be born of thee, whose dreadful might 

Shall awe the world, and conquer nations bold. 

FROM DANTE. 

A.H, Constantine, of how much ill was cause, 
Not thy conversion, but those rich domains 
That the first wealthy pope received of thee. 

FROM DANTE. 

Founded in chaste and humble poverty, 
'Gainst them that rais'd thee dost thou lift thy horn 
Impudent whore, where hast thou plac'd thy hope ? 
In thy adulterers, or thy ill-got wealth ? 
Another Constantine comes not in haste. 

FROM ARIOSTO. 

Then pass'd he to a flowery mountain green, 
Which once smelt sweet, now stinks as odiously : 
This was the gift, if you the truth will have, 
That Constantine to good Sylvester gave. 

FROM HORACE. 

Whom do we count a good man ? Whom but he 
Who keeps the laws and statutes of the senate, 
Who judges in great suits and controversies, 
Whose witness and opinion wins the cause ? 
But his own house, and the whole neighbourhood, 
Sees his foul inside through his whited skin. 

FROM EURIPIDES. 

This is true liberty, when freeborn men, 
Having t' advise the public, may speak free ; 
Which he who can, and will, deserves high praise . 
Who neither can, nor will, may hold his peace ; 
What can be juster in a state than this ? 

FROM HORACE. 

Laughing, to teach the truth, 

What hinders ? As some teachers give to boys 
Junkets and knacks, that they may learn apace 

FROM HORACE. 



-Joking decides great things, 



Stronger and better oft than earnest can, 



456 TRANSLATIONS. 

FROM SOPHOCLES. 

'Tis you that say it, not I. You do the def. 
And your ungodly deeds find me the words 

FROM SENECA. 

There can be slain 

No sacrifice to God more acceptable, 
Than an unjust and wicked king. 

PSALM I. 

Done in verse, 1653 

Blessed is the man who hath not walk'd astray 
In counsel of the wicked, and in the way 
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat 
Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great 
Jehovah's law is ever his delight, 
And in his law he studies day and night. 
He shall be as a tree which planted grows 
By watery streams, and in his season knows 
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall, 
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd 
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand 
In judgment, or abide their trial then, 
Nor sinners in the assembly of just men. 
For the Lord knows th' upright way of the just 
And the way of bad men to ruin must. 

PSALM II. 

Done Aug. 8, 1653. Terzetti. 

Why do the Gentiles tumult, and the Nations 
Muse a vain thing, the kings of the earth upstand 
With power, and princes in their congregations 

Lay deep their plots together through each land 
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear ? 
Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand 

Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear, 
Their twisted cords : He who in Heaven doth dwell 
Shall laugh, the Lord shall scoff them, then severe 

Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell 
And fierce ire trouble them ; but I, saith he, 
Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) 

On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree 
1 will declare ; The Lord to me hath said 
Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee 



TRANSLATIONS. 457 

This day ; ask of me, and the grant is made ; 
As thy possession I on thee bestow 
The Heathen, and, as thy conquest to be sway'd 

Earth's utmost bounds : them shalt thou bring full 
With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse [low 
Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so. 

And now be wise at length ye kings averse, 
Be taught ye judges of the earth ; with fear 
Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse 

With trembling ; kiss the Son lest he appear 
In anger and ye perish in the way, 
If once his wrath take fire like fuel sere. 

Happy all those who have him in their stay. 

PSALM III. Aug. 9, 1653. 

When he fed from Absalom. 

Lord, how many are my foes ! 
How many those 
That in arms against me rise ! 
Many are they 
That of my life distrustfully thus say, 
No help for him in Goa there lies. 
But thou Lord art my shield, my glory, 
Thee through my story, 
Th' exalter of my head I count ; 
Aloud I cried 
Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied 
And heard me from his holy mount. 
I lay and slept, I wak'd again, 
For my sustain 
Was the Lord. Of many millions 
The populous rout 
1 fear not, though encamping round about 
They pitch against me their pavilions. 
Rise, Lord, save me my God, for thou 
Hast smote ere now 
On the cheek-bone all my foes, 
Of men abhorr'd 
Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord ; 
Thy blessing on thy people flows. 

PSALM IV. Aug. 10, 1653 

Answer me when I call, 
God of my righteousness, 
In straits and in distress, 



458 TRANSLATIONS. 

Thou didst me disenthrall 
And set at large ; now spare, 

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. 
Great ones how long will ye 
My glory have in scorn , 
How long be thus fori torn 
Still to love vanity, 
To love, to seek, to prize 

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies ! 
Yet know the Lord hath chose, 
Chose to himself apart, 
The good and meek of heart 
(For whom to choose he knows) 
Jehovah from on high 

Will hear my voice, what time to him I cry 
Be aw'd, and do not sin, 
Speak to your hearts alone, 

Upon your beds, each one, 
And be at peace within. 

Offer the offerings just 

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust. 

Many there be that say 

Who yet will show us good ? 

Talking like this world's brood ; 

But, Lord, thus let me pray, 

On us lift up the light, 

Lift up the favour of thy countenance bright. 

Into my heart more joy 

And gladness thou hast put, 

Than when a year of glut 

Their stores doth overcloy, 

And from their plenteous grounds 

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds. 

In peace at once will I 

Both lay me down and sleep, 

For thou alone dost keep 

Me safe where'er I lie ; 

As in a rocky cell 

Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell. 

PSALM V. Aug. 12, 1653. 

Jehovah to my words give ear, 
My meditation weigh, 
The voice of my complaining hear, 
My King and God ; for unto thee I pray. 



'HiAxNSLATIONS. 



4.59 



Jehovah thou my early voice 
Shalt in the morning hear, 
I' the morning I to thee with choice 
Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear, 
For thou art not a God that takes 

In wickedness delight, 
Evil with thee no biding makes, 
Fools or mad men stand not within thy sight. 
All workers of iniquity 

Thou hat'st ; and them unblest 
Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; 
The bloody and guileful man God doth detest. 
But I will in thy mercies dear 
Thy numerous mercies go 
Into thy house ; I in thy fear 
Will towards thy holy temple worship low. 
Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, 

Lead me because of those 
That do observe if I transgress, 
Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. 
For in his faltering mouth unstable 

No word is firm or sooth ; 
Their inside, troubles miserable ; [smooth. 
An open grave their throat, their tongue they 
God, find them guilty, let them fall 

By their own counsels quell'd ; 
Push them in their rebellions all 
Still on ; for against thee they have rebell'd. 
Then all who trust in thee shall bring 

Their joy, while thou from blame 
Defend' st them, they shall ever sing 
And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name. 
For thou Jehovah wilt be found 

To bless the just man still, 
As with a shield thou wilt surround 
Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 

PSALM VI. Aug. 13, 1653. 

Lord, in thine anger do not reprehend me, 
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct ; 
Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject, 
And very weak and faint ; heal and amend me : 
For all my bones, that even with anguish ake, 
Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore, 
And thou, O Lord, how long? Turn Lord, restore 
My soul, O save me for thy goodness' sake : 
Per in death no remembrance is of thee ; 



460 TRANSLATIONS 

Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 
Wearied I am with sighing out my days, 

Nightly my couch I make a kind of sea ; 

My bed I water with my tears ; mine eye 

Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark 
F the midst of all mine enemies that mark. 

Depart all ye that work iniquity, 

Depart from me, for the voice of my weeping 
The Lord hath heard, the Lord hath heard my 
My supplication with acceptance fair [prayer, 

The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 

Mine enemies shall all be blank and dash'd 

With much confusion; then grown red with shame, 
They shall return in haste the way they came, 

And in a moment shall be quite abash'd. 

PSALM VII. Aug. 14, 1653. 

Upon the words of Chush the Benjamite against him. 

Lord my God, to thee I fly, 
Save me and secure me under 
Thy protection while I cry ; 
Lest as a lion (and no wonder) 
He haste to tear my soul asunder 
Tearing and no rescue nigh. 

Lord my God, if I have thought 
Or done this, if wickedness * 

Be in my hands, if I have wrought 
111 to him that meant me peace, 
Or to him have render'd less 
And not freed my foe for nought ; 

Let the enemy pursue my soul 
And overtake it, let him tread 
My life down to the earth, and roll 
In the dust my glory dead. 
In the dust and there out-spread 
Lodge it with dishonour foul. 

Rise Jehovah in thine ire, 

Rouse thyself amidst the rage 

Of my foes that urge like fire ; 

And wake for me, their fury 'asswage ; 

Judgment here thou didst engage 

And command which I desire. 



TRANSLATIONS. 461 

So the assemblies of each nation 
Will surround thee, seeking right, 
Thence to thy glorious habitation 
Return on high and in their sight. 
Jehovah judge th most upright 
All people from the world's foundation,. 

Judge me, Lord, be judge in this 
According to my righteousness, 
And the innocence which is 
Upon me : cause at length to cease 
Of evil men the wickedness 
And their power that do amiss. 

But the just establish fast, 
Since thou art the just God that tries 
Hearts and reins. On God is cast 
My defence, and in him lies, 
In him who, both just and wise, 
Saves the upright of heart at last. 

God is a just judge and severe, 

And God is every day offended ; 

If the unjust will not forbear, 

His sword he whets, his bow hath bended 

Already, and for him intended 

The tools of death, that wait him near. 

His arrows purposely made he 
For them that persecute. Behold, 
He travels big with vanity, 
Trouble he hath conceiv'd of old, 
As in a womb, and from that mould 
Hath at length brought forth a lie. 

He digg'd a pit, and delv'd it deep, 

And fell into the pit he made ; 

His mischief that due course doth keep, 

Turns on his head, and his ill trade 

Of violence will undelay'd 

Fall on his crown with ruin steep. 

Then will I Jehovah's praise 
According to his justice raise, 
And sing the Name and Deity 
Of Jehovah the Most High. 



462 TRANSLATIONS. 



PSALM VIII. Aug. 14, 1653. 

O Jehovah our Lord, how wonderous great 

And glorious is thy Name through all the earth ! 

So as above the Heavens thy praise to set 
Out of the tender mouths of latest birth. 

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou 
Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes, 

To stint the enemy, and slack the avenger's brow, 
That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. 

When I behold thy Heavens, thy finger's art, 

The moon and stars which thou so bright hast set 

In the pure firmament, then saith my heart, 
O what is man that thou rememberest yet, 

And think'st upon him ; or of man begot, 
That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ? 

Scarce to be less than Gods, thou madest his lot, 
With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd. 

O'er the works of thy hand thou madest him Lord, 
Thou hast put all under his lordly feet, 

All flocks, and herds, by thy commanding word, 
All beasts that in the field or forest meet ; 

Fowls of the Heavens, and fish that through the wet 
Sea-paths in shoals do slide, and know no dearth 

Jehovah our Lord, how wonderous great 

And glorious is thy Name through ail the earth ! 

April, 1648. J. M. 

Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all, but 
what is within inverted commas, are the very words 
of the text, translated from the original. 

PSALM LXXX. 

1 Thou Shepherd, that dost Israel ' keep,' 

Give ear * in time of need,' 
Who leadest like a flock of sheep 
' Thy loved' Joseph's seed, 

That sitest between the Cherubs * bright, 

Between their wings outspread,' 
Shine forth, ' and from thy cloud give light, 

And on our foes thy dread/ 



TRANSLATIONS. 4(J3 

2 In Ephraim's view and Benjamin's, 

And in Manasse's sight, 
Awake thy strength, come, and ' be seen 
To' save us ' by thy might.' 

3 Turn us again, ' thy grace divine 

To us,' O God, ' vouchsafe ;' 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
And then we shall be safe. 

4 Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou, 

How long wilt thou declare 
Thy smoking wrath, ' and angry brow' 
Against thy people's prayer ! 

5 Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears, 

Their bread with tears they eat, 
And mak'st them largely drink the tears 
' Wherewith their cheeks are wet.' 

6 A strife thou makest us ' and a prey' 

To every neighbour foe, 
Among themselves they laugh, they play, 
And flouts at us they throw. 

7 Return us, ' and thy grace divine,' 

O God of Hosts, ' vouchsafe,' 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
And then we shall be safe. 

8 A vine from Egypt thou hast brought, 

' Thy free love made it thine,' 
And drov'st out nations, ' proud and haught/ 
To plant this ' lovely' vine. 

9 Thou didst prepare for it a place, 

And root it deep and fast, 
That it 'began to grow apace, 
And' fill'd the land 'at last.' 

10 With her ' green' shade that cover'd ' all,' 

The hills were ' overspread,' 
Her boughs as ' high as' cedars tall 
' Advanc'd their lofty head.' 

1 1 Her branches ' on the western side' 

Down to the sea she sent, 
And * upward' to that river 'wide' 
Her other branches ' went.' 



464 TRANSLATIONS. 

12 Why hast thou laid her hedges low, 

And broken down her fence, 
That all may pluck her, as they go, 
' With rudest violence V 

1 3 The ' tusked' boar out of the wood 

Up turns it by the roots, 
Wild beasts there browse, and make their food 
' Her grapes and tender shoots.' 

14 Return now, God of Hosts, look down 

From Heaven, thy seat divine, 
Behold 'us, but without a frown,' 
And visit this ' thy ' vine. 

15 Visit this vine, which thy right hand 

Hath set, and planted ' long,' 
And the young branch, that for thyself 
Thou hast made firm and strong. 

16 But now it is consumed with fire, 

And cut • with axes ' down ; 
They perish at thy dreadful ire, 
At thy rebuke and frown. 

17 Upon the man of thy right hand 

Let thy ' good ' hand be ' laid' 
Upon the son of man, whom thou 
Strong for thyself hast made. 

18 So shall we not go back from thee 

' To ways of sin and shame,' 
Quicken us thou, then ' gladly' we 
Shall call upon thy Name. 

19 Return us, 'and thy grace divine,' 

Lord God of Hosts, ' vouchsafe ;' 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 
And then we shall be safe. 

PSALM LXXXI. 

1 To God our strength sing loud, ' and clear,' 

Sing loud to God ■ our King,' 
To Jacob's God, 'that all may hear,' 
Loud acclamations ring. 

2 Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, 

The timbrel hither bring, 
The ' cheerful ' psaltery bring along, 
And harp ' with ' pleasant * string.' 



TRANSLATIONS. 466 

3 Blow, ' as is wont,' in the new moon 

With trumpets' ' lofty sound,' 
The appointed time, the day whereon 
Our solemn feast ' comes round.' 

4 This was a statute ' given of old ' 

For Israel ' to observe,' 
A law of Jacob's God, ' to hold, 

From whence they might not swerve * 

5 This he a testimony ordain'd 

In Joseph, 'not to change,' 
When as he pass'd through Egypt land, 
The tongue I heard was strange. 

"6 From burden, and from ' slavish toil,' 
I set his shoulder free : 
His hands from pots, ' and miry soil,' 
Deliver'd were ' by me.' 

7 When trouble did thee sore assail, 

* On me then ' didst thou call, 
And I to free thee, ' did not fail, 
And led thee out of thrall.' 

I answer'd thee in thunder deep, 
With clouds encompass'd round f 
tried thee at the water ' steep 
Of Meriba ' renown'd/ 

8 Hear, O my people, ' hearken well,' 

I testify to thee, 
'Thou ancient stock of Israel, 
If thou wilt list to me, 

9 Throughout the land of thy abode 

No alien God shall be, 
Nor shalt thou to a foreign God 
In honour bend thy knee. 

10 I am the Lord thy God which brought 

Thee out of Egypt land ; 
Ask large enough, and I, ' besought,' 
Will grant thy full demand. 

1 1 And yet my people would not ' hear 

Nor' hearken to my voice ; 
And Israel, * whom 1 lov'd so dear/ 
Mislik'd me for his choice. 

2n 



466 



TRANSLATIONS. 



12 Then did I leave them to their will, 

And to their wandering mind ; 
Their own conceits they followed still, 
Their own devices blind. 

13 0, that my people would ' be wise, 

To ' serve me ' all their days P 
And O that Israel would * advise 
To ' walk my * righteous* ways. 

14 Then would I soon bring down their foes, 

'That now so proudly rise/ 
And turn my hand against ' all those, 
' That are ' their enemies. 

1 5 Who hate the Lord should ' then be fain 

To* bow to him and bend ; 
But 'they, his people, should remain,' 
Their time should have no end. 

16 And he would feed them ' from the shock' 

With flower of finest wheat, 

And satisfy them from the rock 

With honey ' for their meat.' 

PSALM LXXXII. 

1 God in the great assembly stands 
' Ofkings and lordly states,' 
Among the Gods, on both his hands, 
He judges and debates. 

2 How long will ye pervert the right 

With judgment false and wrong, 
Favouring the wicked ' by your might, 
Who thence grow bold and strong V 

3 Regard the weak and fatherless, 

Dispatch the poor man's cause, 
And raise the man in deep distress 
By just and equal laws. 

4 Defend the poor and desolate, 

And rescue from the hands 
Of wicked men the low estate 
Of him ' that help demands." 

5 They know not, nor will understand, 

In darkness they walk on, 
The earth's foundations all are mov*d 
And out of order gone. 



TRANSLATIONS. 46? 

6 I said that ye were gods, yea all 

The sons of God Most High ; 

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall 

As other princes ' die.' 

8 Rise God, judge thou the earth ' in might,' 

This * wicked' earth redress, 
For thou art he who shall by right 
The nations all possess. 

PSALM LXXXIII. 

1 Be not thou silent * now at length, 

God, hold not thy peace' 

Sit thou not still, O God of ' strength, 
We cry and do not cease.' 

2 For lo thy ' furious' foes l now' swell, 

And storm outrageously, 
And they that hate thee ' proud and fell' 
Exalt their heads full high. 

3 Against thy people they contrive 

Their plots and counsels deep, 
Them to ensnare they chiefly strive, 
Whom thou dost hide and keep. 

4 Come let us cut them off, say they, 

Till they no nation be, 
That Israel's name for ever may 
Be lost in memory. 

5 For they consult with all their might, 

And all as one in mind 
Themselves against thee they unite, 
And in firm union bind. 

6 The tents of Edom, and the brood 

Of * scornful' Ishmael, 
Moab, with them of Hagar's blood, 
* That in the desert dwell,' 

7 Gebal and Ammon ' there conspire,' 

And ' hateful' Amalec, 
The Philistines, and they of Tyre, 
' Whose bounds the sea doth check.' 

8 With them ' great' Ashur also bands 

1 And doth confirm the knot : 

All these have lent their armed haudft' 
To aid the sons of Lot. 

2 ii 2 



468 TRANSLATIONS. 

9 Do to them as to Midian ' bold/ 

That wasted all the coast, 
To Sisera, and, as * is told 
Thou didst' to Jabin's l host,' 

' When at the brook of Kishon ' old, 
They were repulsed and slain,' 

10 At Endor quite cut off, and roll'd 

As dung upon the plain. 

11 As Zeb and Oreb evil sped, 

So let their princes speed, 

As Zeba, and Zalmunna ' bled,' 

So let their princes * bleed.' 

12 ' For they amidst their pride' have said, 

By right now shall we seize 
God's houses, and * will now invade' 
Their stately palaces. 

13 My God, oh make them as a wheel, 

' No quiet let them find ;' 
Giddy and * restless' let ' them reel' 
Like stubble from the wind. 

14 As ' when' an ' aged' wood takes fire 

1 Which on a sudden strays,' 
The • greedy' flame runs higher and higher 
Till all the mountains blaze, 

15 So with thy whirlwind them pursue, 

And with thy tempest chase : 

16 And till they yield thee honour due, 

Lord, fill with shame their face. 

17 Ashamed, and troubled let them be, 

Troubled, and shamed for ever, 
Ever confounded, and so die 

With shame, ' and' scape it never. 

18 Then shall they know, that Thou, whose name 

Jehovah is alone, 
Art the Most High, ' and Thou the same' 
O'er all the earth ' art One.' 

PSALM LXXXIV. 

1 How lovely are thy dwellings fair ! 
O Lord of Hosts, how dear 
The * pleasant' tabernacles are, 
4 Where thou dost dwell so near !' 



TRANSLATIONS. 469 

2 My soul doth long and almost die 

Thy courts O Lord to see, 
My heart and flesh aloud do cry, 
O living God, for thee. 

3 There even the sparrow ' freed from wrong' 

Hath found a house of ' rest ;' 

The swallow there, to lay her young 

Hath built her ' brooding' nest, 

Even by thy altars, Lord of Hosts, 

' They find their safe abode, 
And home they fly from round the coasts 

Toward thee/ my King, my God. 

4 Happy, who in thy house reside, 

Where thee they ever praise, 

5 Happy, whose strength in thee doth bide, 

And in their hearts thy ways. 

6 They pass through Baca's ' thirsty' vale, 

i That dry and barren ground,' 
As through a fruitful watery dale, 
Where springs and showers abound. 

7 They journey on from strength to strength 

' With joy and gladsome cheer, 
Till' all before ' our' God ' at length' 
In Zion do appear. 

8 Lord God of Hosts hear ' now' my prayer, 

O Jacob's God give ear, 

9 Thou God our shield look on the face 

Of thy anointed ' dear.' 

10 For one day in thy courts * to be' 

Is better, ' and more blest,' 
Than ' in the joys of vanity' 
A thousand days ' at best.' 

I in the temple of my God, 

Had rather keep a door, 
Than dwell in tents, ■' and rich abode,' 

With sin ' for evermore.' 

1 1 For God the Lord both sun and shield 

Gives grace and glory ' bright, 

No good from them shall be withheld 

Whose ways are just and right. 



47C TRANSLATIONS. 

12 Lord ' God' of Hosts ' that reign'st on high/ 
That man is ' truly' blest, 
Who ' only' on thee doth rely, 
And in thee only rest. 

PSALM LXXXV. 

1 Thy land to favour graciously 

Thou hast not Lord been slack, 
Thou hast from hard captivity 
Returned Jacob back. 

2 The iniquity thou didst forgive 

' That wrought' thy people woe, 
And all their sin, ' that did thee grieve/ 
Hast hid ' where none shall know.' 

3 Thine anger all thou hadst removed, 

And ' calmly' didst return 
From thy fierce wrath which we had proved 
Far worse than fire to burn. 

4 God of our saving health and peace, 

Turn us, and us restore, 
Thine indignation cause to cease 
Towards us, ' and chide no more.' 

5 Wilt thou be angry without end, 

For ever angry thus, 
Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend 
From age to age on us ? 

6 Wilt thou not turn, and 'hear our voice/ 

And us again revive, 
That so thy people may rejoice 
By thee preserv'd alive. 

7 Cause us to see thy goodness, Lord, 

To us thy mercy shew, 
Thy saving health to us afford, 
' And life in us renew.' 

8 ' And now what God the Lord will speak' 

I will * go straight and' hear, 

For to his people he speaks peace, 

And to his saints * full dear / 

To his dear saints he will speak peace, 

But let them never more 
Return to folly, ' but surcease 

To trespass as before/ 



TRANSLATIONS. 471 

9 Surely to such as do him fear 
Salvation is at hand, 
And glory shall ' ere long appear 
To* dwell within our land. 

10 Mercy and Truth ' that long were miss'd, 1 

Now * joyfully ' are met, 
' Sweet' Peace and Righteousness have kiss'd, 
' And hand in hand are set. 

1 1 Truth from the earth, ' like to a flower, 

Shall bud and blossom ' then,' 
And Justice from her heavenly bower 
Look down ' on mortal men.' 

12 The Lord will also then bestow 

Whatever thing is good, 
Our land shall forth in plenty throw 
Her fruits ' to be our food.' 

1 3 Before him Righteousness shall go 

' His royal habinger,' 
Then will he come, and not be slow, 
His footsteps cannot err. 

PSALM LXXXVI. 

1 Thy ' gracious' ear, O Lord, incline, 

hear me ' I thee pray ;' 
For I am poor, and almost pine 

With need, ' and sad decay.' 

2 Preserve my soul, for I have trod 

Thy ways, and love the just, 
Save thou thy servant, O my God, 
Who * still ' in thee doth trust. 

3 Pity me, Lord, for daily thee 

4 I call ; O make rejoice 

Thy servant's soul ; for Lord to thee 

1 lift my soul ' and voice.' 

5 For thou art good, thou Lord art prone 

To pardon, thou to all 
Art full of mercy, thou ' alone' 
To them that on thee call. 

6 Unto my supplication, Lord, 

Give ear, and to the cry 



472 TRANSLATIONS. 

Of my ' incessant' prayers afford 
Thy hearing graciously. 

I in the day of my distress, 
Will call on thee * for aid ; 

For thou wilt * grant' me ' free access, 
And' answer ' what I pray'd.* 

8 Like thee among the Gods is none, 

Lord, nor any works 

' Of all that other Gods have done ' 
Like to thy 'glorious' works. 

9 The nations all whom thou hast made 

Shall come, ' and all shall frame' 
To bow them low before thee, Lord, 
And glorify thy name. 

10 For great thou art, and wonders great 

By thy strong hand are done, 
Thou ' in thy everlasting seat' 
Remainest God alone. 

11 Teach me, Lord, thy way ' most right; 

1 in thy truth will bide, 

To fear thy name my heart unite, 
4 So shall it never slide. 

12 Thee will I praise, O Lord my God, 

' Thee honour and adore ' 
With my whole heart, and blaze abroad 
Thy name for evermore. 

1 3 For great thy mercy is toward me, 

And thou hast freed my soul, 

Even from the lowest Hell set free, 

' From deepest darkness foul.' 

14 God, the proud against me rise, 

And violent men are met 
To seek my life, and in their eyes 
No fear of thee have set. 

15 But thou, Lord, art the God most mild, 

Readiest thy grace to shew, 
Slow to be angry, and ' art styled ' 
Most merciful, most true. 

1 6 O turn to me ' thy face at length ' 

And me have mercy on, 



TRANSLATIONS. 473 

Unto thy servant give thy strength, 
And save thy handmaid's son. 

7 Some sign of good to me afford, 
And let my foes ' then' see, 
And be ashamed ; because thou Lord 
Dost help and comfort me. 

PSALM LXXXVII. 

1 Amokg the holy mountains * high' 

Is his foundation fast, 
' There seated in his sanctuary, 
His temple there is placed/ 

2 Sion's ' fair ' gates the Lord loves more 

Than all the dwellings * fair* 
Of Jacob's ' land, though there be store, 
And all within his care.' 

3 City of God, most glorious things 

Of thee * abroad ' are spoke ; 

4 I mention Egypt, ' where proud kings 

Did our forefathers yoke.' 

I mention Babel to my friends, 

Philistia ' full of scorn,' 
And Tyre with Ethiops' ' utmost ends,' 

Lo this man there was born : 

5 But * twice that praise shall in our ear' 

Be said of Sion ' last,' 
This and this man was born in her, 
High God shall fix her fast. 

6 The Lord shall write it in a scroll 

That ne'er shall be out-worn, 

When he the nations doth inroll, 

That this man there was born. 

7 Both they who sing, and they who dance 

' With sacred songs are there,' 
In thee ' fresh brooks, and soft streams glance, 
And ' all my fountains ' clear.' 

PSALM LXXXVIII. 

1 Lord God that dost me save and keep, 
All day to thee I cry ; 



474 TRANSLATIONS. 

And all night long before thee weep, 
Before thee ' prostrate lie.' 

2 Into thy presence let my prayer 

' With sighs devout ascend ;' 
And to my cries, that ' ceaseless are/ 
Thine ear with favour bend. 

3 For cloy'd with woes and trouble sore 

Surcharged my soul doth lie, 
My life * at death's uncheerful door,' 
Unto the grave draws nigh. 

4 Reckon 'd I am with them that pass 

Down to the * dismal ' pit, 
I am a man, but weak alas, 
And for that name unfit. 

5 From life discharged and parted quite 

Among the dead to ' sleep/ 
And like the slain in ' bloody fight' 
That in the grave lie * deep.' 

Whom thou rememberest no more, 

Dost never more regard, 
Them from thy hand deliver'd o'er, 

' Death's hideous house hath barr'd.' 

6 Thou in the lowest pit ' profound ' 

Hast set me ' all forlorn/ 
Where thickest darkness * hovers round/ 
In horrid deeps ' to mourn.' 

7 Thy wrath, ' from which no shelter saves/ 

Full sore doth press on me ; 
Thou break 'st upon me all thy waves, 
And all thy waves break me. 

8 Thou dost my friends from me estrange, 

And makest me odious, 
Me to them odious, 'for they change/ 
And I here pent up thus. 

9 Through sorrow, and affliction great, 

Mine eye grows dim and dead, 
Lord, all the day I thee entreat, 
My hands to thee I spread. 

10 Wilt thou do wonders on the dead, 
Shall the deceased arise, 



jRANSLAJ IONS. 476 

And praise thee ' from their loathsome bed 
With pale and hollow eyes V 

11 Shall they thy loving kindness tell 

On whom the grave ' hath hold/ 
Or they who in perdition ' dwell,' 
Thy faithfulness ' unfold V 

12 In darkness can thy mighty * hand 

Or' wonderous acts be known, 
Thy justice in the * gloomy* land 
Of • dark ' oblivion ? 

13 But I to thee, O Lord, do cry, 

' Ere yet my life be spent/ 
And * up to thee' my prayer ' doth hie/ 
Each morn, and thee prevent. 

14 Why wilt thou, Lord, my soul forsake, 

And hide thy face from me ? 

15 That am already bruised, and shake 

With terror sent from thee ? 

Bruised, and afflicted, and • so low* 

As ready to expire, 
While I thy terrors undergo 

Astonish'd with thine ire. 

16 Thy fierce wrath over me doth flow, 

Thy threatenings cut me through : 

17 All day they round about me go, 

Like waves they me pursue. 

18 Lover and friend thou hast removed, 

And sever'd from me far : 
They * fly me now' whom I have loved, 
And as in darkness are. 

A PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXIV. 

This and the following Psalm were done by the Author 
at fifteen years old. 

When the bless'd seed of Terah's faithful son 
After long toil, their liberty had won, 
And pass'd from Pharian fields to Canaan land, 
Led by the strength of the Almighty's hand, 
Jehovah'3 wonders were in Israel shown, 
His praise and glory was in Israel known 



476 TRANSLATIONS. 

That saw the troubled sea, and shivering fled, 
And sought to hide his froth-becurled head 
Low in the earth ; Jordan's clear streams recoil 
A% a faint host that hath received the foil. 
The high, huge-bellied mountains skip like rams 
Amongst their ewes, the little hills like lambs. 
Why fled the ocean? and why skipp'd the mountains 
Why turned Jordan toward his crystal fountains ? 
Shake Earth, and at the presence be aghast 
Of Him that ever was, and aye shall last, 
That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush, 
\nd make soft rills from fiery flint-stones gush. 

PSALM CXXXVI. 

Let us with a gladsome mind 
Praise the Lord, for he is kind, 

For his mercies aye endure, 

Ever faithful, ever sure. 
Let us blaze his name abroad, 
For of Gods he is the God. 

For his, &c. 
O let us his praises tell, 
Who doth the wrathful tyrants quell. 

For his, &c. 
Who with his miracles doth make 
Amazed Heaven and Earth to shake. 

For his, &c. 
Who by his wisdom did create 
The painted heavens so full of state. 

For his, &c. 
Who did the solid earth ordain 
To rise above the watery plain. 

For his, &c. 
Who by his all- commanding might 
Did fill the new-made world with light 

For his, &c. 
And caused the golden-tressed sun, 
All the day lovig his course to run. 

For his, &c. 
The horned moon to shine by night, 
Amongst her spangled sisters bright. 

For his, &c. 
He with his thunder-clasping hand 
Smote the first-born of Egypt land. 

For his, &c. 



TRANSLATIONS. 477 

And in despite of Pharaoh fell, 
He brought from thence his Israel. 

For his, &c. 
The ruddy waves he cleft in twain 
Of the Erythraean main. 

For his, &c. 
The floods stood still like walls of glass, 
While the Hebrew bands did pass. 

For his, &c. 
But full soon they did devour 
The tawny king with all his power. 

For his, &c. 
His chosen people he did bless 
In the wasteful widerness. 

For his, &c. 
In bloody battle he brought down 
Kings of prowess and renown. 

For his, &c. 
He foil'd bold Seon and his host, 
That rul'd the Amorrean coast. 

For his, &c. 
And large-limb'd Og he did subdue, 
With all his over-hardy crew. 

For his, &c. 
And to his servant Tsrael 
He gave their land therein to dwell. 

For his, &c. 
He hath with a piteous eye 
Beheld us in our misery, 

For his, &c. 
And freed us from the slavery 
Of the invading enemy. 

For his, &c. 
All living creatures he doth feed 
And with full hand supplies their need 

For his, &c. 
Let us therefore warble forth 
His mighty majesty and worth. 

For his, &c. 
That his mansion hath on high 
Above the reach of mortal eye, 

For his mercies aye endure, 

Ever faithful, ever sure. 



JOANNIS MILTONI 

EONDINENSIS 

P O E M A T A. 

QUORUM PLERAQUE INTRA ANNUM iETATIS 
VIGESIMUM CONSCRIPSIT. 



H^c quse sequuntur de Authore testimonia, tametsi 
ipse intelligebat non tarn de se quam supra se esse 
dicta, eo quod prseclaro ingenio viri, nee non amici 
ita fere solent laudare, ut omnia suis potius virtutibus, 
quam veritati congruentia nimis cupide affingant no- 
luit tamen horum egregiam in se voluntatem non esse 
notam ; cum alii proesertim ut id faceret magnopere 
suaderent Dum enhn nimise laudis invidiam totis ab 
se viribis amolitur, sibique quod plus aequo est non 
attributum esse mavult, judicium interim hominum 
cordatorum atque illustrium quin summo sibi honori 
ducat, negare non potest. 

Joannes Baptista Mansus, Marchio Villensis, Neapoli- 
tans ad Joannem Miltonium Anglum. 

Ut mens, forma, decor, facies, mos, si pietas sic, 
Non Anglus, verum hercle Angelus ipse fores. 

Ad Joannem Miltonem Anglum triplici poeseos 
laurea, coronandum, Grceca nimirum, Latina, atque 
Hetrusca, Epigramma Joannis Salsilli Romani. 

, ede Meles cedat depressa Mincius urna ; 

Sebetus Tassum disinat usque loqui ; 
At Thamesis victor cunctis ferat altior undas, 

Nam per te, Milto, par tribus unus erit. 

Ad Joannem Miltonem. 

Gr,ecia Mseonidem, jactet sibi Roma Maronem, 
Anglia Miltonum jactat utrique uarem. 

Selvaaai. 



AD M1LT0NUM. 479 

AL SIGNOR GIO. MILTONI NOB1LE INGLESE 

ODE. 

Ergimi all' Etra 6 Clio 

Perche di stelle intrecciero corona 

Non piu del Biondo Dio 

La Fronde eterna in Pindo, e in Elicona, 

Diensi a merto maggior, maggiori i fregi, 

A' celeste virtu celesti pregi. 

Non puo del tempo edace 
Rimaner preda, eterno alto valore 
Non puo F oblio rapace 
Furar dalle memorie eccelso onore, 
Su 1' arco di rnia cetra un dardo forte 
Virtu m' adatti, e feriro la morte. 

Del Ocean profondo 

Cinta dagli ampi gorghi Anglia resiede 

Separata dal mondo, 

Pero che il suo valor 1' umano eccede : 

Questa feconda sa produrre Eroi, 

Ch' hanno a ragion del sovruman tra noi. 

Alia virtu sbandita 

Danno ne i petti lor fido ricetto, 

Quella gli e sol gradita, 

Perche in lei san trovar gioia, e diletto 

Ridillo tu, Giovanni, e mostra in tanto 

Con tua vera virtu, vero il mio Canto. 

Lungi dal Patrio lido 

Spinse Zeusi V industre ardente brama ; 

Ch' udio d'Helena il grido 

Con aurea tromba rimbombar la fama, 

E per poterla effigiare al paro 

Dalle piu belle Idee trasse ill piu raro. 

Cos! l'Ape Ingegnosa 

Trae con industria il suo liquor pregiato 

Dal giglio e dalla rosa, 

E quanti vaghi fiori ornano il prato ; 

Formano un dolce suon diverse Chorde 

Fan varie voci melodia concorde. 



480 AD MILTON UM 

Di bella gloria amante 

Milton dal Ciel natio per varie parti 

Le peregrine piante 

Volgesti a ricercar scienze, ed arti ; 

Del Gallo regnator vedesti i Regni, 

E dell* Italia ancor gl' Eroi pi A degni. 

Fabro quasi divino 

Sol virtu rintracciando il tuo pensiero 

Vide in ogni coniino 

Chi di nobil valor calca il sentiero : 

L'ottimo dal miglior dopo scegliea 

Per fabbricar d' ogni virtu 1' Idea. 

Quanti nacquero in Flora 

in lei del parlar Tosco appreser 1* arte, 
La cui memoria onora 

II mondo fatta eterna in dotte carte, 
Volesti ricercar per tuo tesoro, 
E parlasti con lor nelT opre loro. 

Nell' altera Babelle 

Per te il parlar confuse Giove in vano, 

Che per varie favelle 

Di se stessa trofeo cadde su'l piano : 

Ch' Ode oltr' all Anglia il suo piu degno Idioma 

Spagna, Francia, Toscana, e Grecia e Roma. 

1 piu profondi arcani 

Ch' occulta la natura e in cielo e in terra 
Ch' a Ingegni sovrumani 
Troppo avara tal' hor gli chiude, e serra, 
Chiaramente conosci, e giungi al fine 
Delia moral virtude al gran confine. 

Non batta il Tempo 1' ale, 

Fermisi immoto, e in un fermin si gl' anni, 

Che di virtu immortale 

Scorron di troppo ingiuriosi a i danni ; 

Che s' opre degne di Poema e storia 

Furon gia, Thai presenti alia memoria. 

Dammi tua dolce Cetra 

Se vuoi ch' io dica del tuo dolce canto, 

Ch' inalzandoti all' Etra 

Di farti huomo celeste ottiene il vanto, 

II Tamigi il dira che gl' e concesso 

Per te suo cigno pareggiar Permesso. 



AD MILTONUM. 4» 

Io che in viva del Arno 

Tento spiegar tuo merto alto, e preclaro 

So che t'atico indarno, 

E ad ammirar, non a lodarlo imparo ; 

Freno dunque la lingua, e ascolto il core 

Che ti prende a lodar con lo stupore. 

Del sig. Antonio Francini, gentilhuomo 
Fiorentino. 



2 I 



JOANNI MILTONI 

LONDINENSI : 

Juveni patrid, virtutibus eximio ; 

Viro qui multa peregrinatione, studio cuncta orbis 
terrarum loca perspexit, ut novus Ulysses omnia ubi- 
que ab omnibus apprehenderet : 

Polyglotto, in cujus ore linguae jam deperditse sic 
reviviscunt, ut idiomata omnia sint in ejus laudibus 
infacunda ; Et jure ea percallet, ut admirationes et 
plausus populorum ab propria sapientia excitatos in- 
telligat : 

Illi, cujus animi dotes corporisque sensus ad admk 
rationem commovent, et per ipsam motum cuique au- 
ferent ; cujus opera ad plausus hortantur, sed venus- 
ate * vocem laudatoribus adimunt. 

Cui in memoria totus orbis ; in intellectu sapientia ; 
m voluntate ardor glorise ; in ore eloquentia ; harmo- 
nicos coelestium sphserarum sonitus astronomia duce 
audienti; characteres mirabilium naturae per quos 
Dei magnitudo describitur magistra philosopliia 
legenti ; antiquitatum latebras, vetustatis excidia, 
eruditionis ambages, comite assidua autorum lec- 
tione : 

Exquirenti, restauranti, percurrenti 
At cur nitor in arduum 9 

Illi in cujus virtutibus evulgandis ora Famae non 
sufficiant, nee hominum stupor in laudandis satis est, 
reverentise at amoris ergo hoc ejus meritis debitum 
admirationis tributum offert Carolus Datus* Patri- 
cius Florentinus, 

Tanto homini servus, tantse virtutis amator. 

• Vastitate, edit. 1645. 

f Carlo Dati: one of Milton's literary friends at Florence. 
Vide Epitaph. Damon. 



ELEGIARUM 

LIBER. 

ELEG. I. — Ad Carolum Deodatum.* 

Tandem, chare, tuse mihi pervenere tabellse, 

Pertulit et voces nuncia charta tuas ; 
Pertulit occidua Devse Cestrensis ab ora 

Vergivium prono qua petit amne salum. 
Multum crede juvat terras aluisse remotas 

Pectus amans nostri, tamque fldele caput, 
Quodque mihi lepidum tellus longinqua sodalen 

Debet, at unde brevi reddere jussa velit. 
Me tenet urbs reflua quam Thamesis alluit unda, 

Meque nee invitum patria dulcis habet. 
Jam nee arundiferum mihi cura revisere Camum, 

Nee dudum vetiti me laris angit amor. 
Nuda nee arva placent, umbrasque negantia molles, 

Quam male Phcebicolis convenit ille locus ! 
Nee duri libet usque minas perferre Magistri 

Cseteraque ingenio non subeunda meo. 
Si sit hoc exilium patrios adiisse penates, 

Et vacuum curis otia grata sequi, 
Non ego vel profugi nomen, sortemve recuso, 

Laetus et exilii conditione fruor. 
utinam vates nunquam graviora tulisset 

* Charles Deodate was one of Milton's most intimate friends. 
He was an excellent scholar, and practised physic in Cheshire. 
He was educated with our author at Saint Paul's school in 
London ; and thence was sent to Trinity College, Oxford, where 
he was entered in the year 1621, at thirteen years of age. He 
was a fellow- collegian there with Alexander Gill, another of 
Milton's intimate friends, who was successively Usher and Mas- 
ter of Saint Paul's school He died in 1638. Warton. 

2i 2 



484 ELEG1ARUM LIBEK. 

Ille Tomitano flebilis exul agro ; 
Non tunc Ionio quicquam cessisset Homero, 

Neve foret victo laus tibi primo Maro. 
Tempora nam licet hie placidis dare libera Musis, 

Et totum rapiunt me mea vita libri. 
Excipit hinc fessum sinuosi pompa theatri, 

Et vocat ad plausus garrula scena suos. 
Seu catus auditur senior, seu prodigus haeres. 

Seu procus, aut posita casside miles adest, 
Sive decennali fcecundus lite patronus 

Detonat inculto barbara verba foro ; 
Ssepe vafer gnato succurrit servus amanti, 

Et nasum rigidi fallit ubique patris ; 
Saepe novos illic virgo mirata calores 

Quid sit amor nescit, dum quoque riescit, amat. 
Sive cruentatum furiosa Tragoedia sceptrum 

Quassat, et efFusis crinibus ora rotat, 
Et dolet, et specto, juvat et spectasse dolendo, 

Interdum et lacrymis dulcis amaror inest : 
Seu puer infelix indelibata reliquit 

Gaudia, et abrupto flendus amore cadit, 
Seu ferus e tenebris iterat Styga criminis ultor 

Conscia funereo pectora torre movens, 
Seu moeret Pelopeia domus, seu nobilis Hi, 

Aut luit incestos aula Creontis avos. 
Sed neque sub tecto semper nee in urbe la tern us, 

Irrita nee nobis tempora veris eunt. 
Nos quoque lucus habet vicina. consitus ulmo, 

Atque suburbani nobilis umbra loci. 
Saepius hie blandas spirantia sidera flammas, 

Virgineos videas praeteriisse choros. 
Ah quoties dignse stupui miracula formse 

Quae possit senium vel reparare Jovis ! 
Ah quoties vidi superantia lumina gemmas, 

Atque faces quotquot volvit uterque polus ; 
Collaque bis vivi Pelopis quae brachia vincant, 

Quaeque fluit puro nectare tincta via, 
Et decus eximium frontis, tremulosque capillos, 

Aurea quae fallax retia tendit Amor ; 
Pellacesque genas, ad quas hyacinthina sordet 

Purpura, et ipse tui floris, Adoni, rubor ! 
Cedite laudatse toties Heroides ohm, 

Etquaecunque vagum cepit arnica Jovem. 
Cedite Achaemeniae turrita fronte puellae, 

Et quot Susa colunt, Memnoniamque Ninon 
Vus etiam Danaae fasces submittite Nymphce, 

Et vos Iliacifcj Romuleaeque nurus. 



fcLGEIARUM L113E1U '* fi ° 

Nec Pompeiauas Tarpeia Musa columnas 

Jactet, et Ausoniis plena theatra stolis. 
Gloria Virginibus debetur prima Britannis, 

Extera sat tibi sit fcemina posse sequi. 
Tuque urbs Dardaniis Londinum structa colonis 

Turrigerum late conspicienda caput, 
Tu nimium felix intra tua moenia claudis 

Quicquid formosi pendulus orbis habet. 
Non tibi tot coelo scintillant astra sereno 

Endymioneae turba ministra deae, 
Quot tibi conspicuse formaque auroque puellse 

Per medias radiant turba videnda vias. 
Creditur hue geminis venisse invecta columbis 

Alma pharetrigero milite cincta Venus, 
Huic Cnidon, et riguas Simoentis flumine valles, 

Huic Paphon, et roseam posthabitura Cypron. 
Ast ego, dum pueri sinit indulgentia cseci, 

Moenia quam subito linquere f'austa paro ; 
Et vitare procul malefidse infamia Circes 

Atria, divini Molyos usu-s ope. 
Stat quoque jnncosas Cami remeare paludes, 

Atque iterum raucse murmur adire Scliolse. 
Interea fidi parvum cape munus amici, 
Paucaque in alternos verba coacta modos. 

ELEG. II.— Anno ^Etatis 17. 

In obitum Praconis Academici Cantabrigiensis * 

Te, qui conspicuus baculo fulgente solebas 

Palladium toties ore ciere gregem, 
Ultima prseconum prseconem te quoque sseva 

Mors rapit, officio nec favet ipsa suo. 
Candidiora licet fuerint tibi tempora plumis 

Sub quibus accipimus delituisse Jovem, 
O dignus tamen Hsemonio juvenescere succo, 

Dignus in iEsonios vivere posse dies, 
Dignus quern Stygiis medica revocaret ab undis 

Arte Coronides, ssepe rogante dea. 
Tu si jussus eras acies accire togatas, 

Et celer a Phoebo nuntius ire tuo, 
Talis in Iliaca stabat Cyllenius aula 

* The person here commemorated is Richard Ridding, one 
of the University-Beadles, and Master of Arts of St. John's col- 
lege, Cambridge. He signed a testamentary codicil, Sep. 23, 
1626, proved the eighth day of November following. From Re- 
gister Testam. Cantabr. Warton, 



486 ELEGIARUM LIBER. 

Alipes, setherea missus ab arce Patris. 
Talis et Eurybates ante ora furentis Achillei 

Rettulit Atridse jussa severa ducis. 
Magna sepulchrorum regina, satelles Averni 

Sseva minis- Musis, Palladi sseva nimis, 
Quin illos rapias qui pondus inutile terrae, 

Tuiba quidem est telis ista petenda tuis. 
Vestibus liunc igitur pullis Academia luge, 

Et madeant lachrymis nigra feretra tuis. 
Fundat et ipsa modos querebunda Elegeia tristes, 

Personet et totis nsenia mcesta Scholis. 

ELEG. III.— Anno jEtatis 17. 
In obitum Prcesulis Wintoniensis* 

Moestus eram, et tacitus nullo comitante sedebam, 

Haerebantque animo tristia plura meo, 
Protinus en subiit funestse cladis imago 

Fecit in Angliaco quam Libitina solo ; [turres, 
Dum procerum ingressa est splendentes marmore 

Dira sepulchrali Mors metuenda face ; 
Pulsavitque auro gravidos et jaspide muros, 

Nee metuit satrapum sternere falce greges. 
Tunc memini clarique ducis, fratisque verendi 

Intempestivis ossa cremata rogis : 
E memini Heroum quos vidit ad eethera raptos, 

Flevit et amissos Belgia tota duces. 
At te prsecipue luxi dignissime Pra3sul, 

Wintoniaeque olim gloria magna tuse ; 
Delicui fletu, et tristi sic ore querebar, 

'* Mors fera Tartareo diva secunda Jovi, 
Nonne satis quod sylva tuas persentiat iras, 

Et quod in herbosos jus tibi detur agros, 
Quodque afflata tuo marcescant lilia tabo, 

Et crocus, et pulchrse Cypridi sacra rosa, 
Nee sinis, ut semper fluvio contermina quercus 

Miretur lapsus praetereuntis aquae ? 
Et tibi succumbit liquido quae plurima coelo 

Evehitur pennis quamlibet augur avis, 
Et quae mille nigris errant animal ia sylvis, 

Et quot alunt mutum Proteos antra pecus. 
Invida, tanta tibi cum sit concessa potestas ; 

* Lancelot Andrews, Bishop of Winchester, had been origi- 
nally Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge ; but long before 
Milton's time. He died at Winchester-House in Southwark. 
Sept 21, 1626. Warton. 



ELEGIARUM liber. 

Quid juvat humana tingere caede manus? 
Nobileque in pectus certas acuisse sagittas, 

Semideamque animam sede fugasse sua?" 
Talia dum lacrymans alto sub pectore volvo, 

Roscidus occiduis Hesperus exit aquis, 
Et Tartessiaco submerserat sequore currum 

Phoebus, ab Eoo littore mensus iter. 
Nee mora, membra cavo posui refovenda cubili, 

Condiderant oculos noxque soporque meos : 
Cum mihi visus eram la to spatiarier agro, 

Heu nequit ingenium visa referre meum. 
Illic punicea radiabant omnia luce, 

Ut matutina cum juga sole rubent. 
Ac veluti cum pandit opes Thaumantia proles, 

Vestitu nituit multicolore solum. 
Non dea tarn variis ornavit floribus hortos 

Alcinoi, Zephyro Chloris amata levi. 
Flumina vernantes lambunt argentea campos, 

Ditior Hesperio flavet arena Tago. 
Serpit odoriferas per opes levis aura Favoni, 

Aura sub innumeris humida nata rosis, 
Talis in extremis terrae Gangetidis oris 

Luciferi regis fingitur esse domus. 
Ipse racemiferis dum densas vitibus umbras 

Et pellucentes miror ubique locos, 
Ecce mihi subit6 Praesul Wintonius astat, 

Sidereum nitido fulsit in ore jubar ; 
Vestis ad auratos defluxit Candida talos, 

Infula divinum cinxerat alba caput. 
Dumque senex tali incedit venerandus amictu, 

Intremuit laeto florea terra sono. 
Agmina gemmatis plaudunt coelestia pennis, 

Pura triumphali personat aethra tuba. 
Quisque novum amplexu comitem cantuque saluta 

Hosque aliquis placido misit ab ore sonos ; 
" Nate verri, et patrii felix cape gaudia regni, 

Semper abhinc duro, nate, labore vaca. " 
Dixit, et aligerae tetigerunt nablia turmas, 

At mihi cum tenebris aurea pulsa quies 
Flebam turbatos Cephaleia pellice somnos, 

Talia contingant somnia saepe mihi. 



2LEG1ARUM 

ELEG. IV.— Anno JEt atis 18. 

AcTThomam Junium praceptorem suum, apud mer* 
catores Anglicos Hamburgaagentes, Pastoris munere 
fungentem* 

Curre per immensum subito mea litera pontum, 

I, pete Teutonicus leeve per asquor agros ; 
Signes rumpe moras, et nil, precor, obstet eunti, 

Et testinantis nil remoretur iter. 
Ipse ego Sicanio fraenantem carcere ventos 

iEolon, et virides sollicitabo Deos, 
Caeruleamque suis comitatam Dorida Nymphis, 

Ut tibi dent placidam per sua regna viam. 
At tu, si poteris, celeres tibi sume jugales, 

Vecta quibus Colchis fugit ab ore viri ; 
Aut queis Triptolemus Scythicas devenit in oras 

Gratus Eleusina missus ab urbe puer. 
Atque ubi Germanas flavere videbis arenas 

Ditis ad Hamburgae moenia flecte gradum, 
Dicitur occiso quae ducere nomen ab Hama, 

Cimbrica quern fertur clava dedisse neci. 
Vivit ibi antiquae clarus pietatis honore 

Praesul Christicolas pascere doctus oves ; 
Ille quidem est animae plusquam pars altera nostrae, 

Dimidio vitaa vivere cogor ego. 
Hei mihi quot pelagi, quot montes interjecti 

Me faciunt alia parte carere mei ! 
Charior ille mihi quam tu, doctissime Graium 

Cliniadi, pronepos qui Telamonis erat ; 
Quamque Stagyrites generoso magnus alumno, 

Quern peperit Libycb Chaonis alma Jovi. 
Qualis Amyntorides, qualis Philyreius heros 

Myrmidonum regi, talis et ille mihi. 
Primus ego Aonios illo praeunte recessus 

Lustrabam, et bifidi sacra vireta jugi, 
Pieriosque hausi latices, Clioque favente, 

Castalio sparsi laeta ter ora mero. 
Flammeus at signum ter viderat arietis ^thon, 

Induxitque auro lanea terga novo, 
Bisque novo terram sparsisti Chlori senilem 

Gramine, bisque tuas abstulit Auster opes ; 
Necdum ejus licuit mihi lumina pascere vultu, 

Aut linguae dulces aure bibisse sonos. 

* Thomas Young, pastor of the church of English merchants 
at Hamburgh, was Milton's private preceptor, before he was 
•ent to Saint Paul's school. 



ELF.GIARUM LIBER. 4&9 

Vade igitur, cursuque Eurum prseverte sonorum, 

Quam sit opus monitis res docet, ipsa vides. 
Invenies duici cum coujuge forte sedentem, 

Mulcentem gremio pignora chara suo, 
Forsitan aut veterum prselarga volumina patrum 

Versantem, aut veri Biblia sacra Dei, 
Coelestive animas saturantem rore tenellas, 

Grande salutiferae religionis opus. 
Utque solet, multam sit dicere cura salutem, 

Dicere quam decuit, si modo adesset, herum. 
Haec quoque, paulum oculos in humum defixa mo- 

Verba verecundo sis memor loqui : [destos 
Hoec tibi, si teneris vacat inter prseiia Musis, 

Mittit ab Angliaco littore fida manus. 
Accipe sinceram, quamvis sit sera, salutem ; 

Fiat et hoc ipso gratior ilia tibi. 
Sera quidem, sed vera fuit, quam casta recepit 

Icaris a lento Penelopeia viro. 
Ast ego quidvolui manifestum tollere crimen, 

Ipse quod ex omnia parte levare nequit ? 
Arguitur tardus merito, noxamque fatetur, 

Et pudet officium deseruisse suum. 
Tu modo da veniam fasso, veniamque roganti, 

Crimina diminui, quae patuere, solent. 
Non ferus in pavidos rictus diducit hiaiites 

Vulnifico pronos nee rapit ungue leo. 
Saape sarissiferi crudelia pectora Thracis 

Supplicis ad moestas delicuere pieces. 
Extensaaque manus avertunt fulminis ictus, 

Placat et iratos hostia parva Deos. 
Jamque diu scripsisse tibi fuit impetus illi, 

Neve moras ultra ducere passus Amor. 
Nam vaga Fama refert, heu nuntia vera malorum : 

In tibi finitimis bella tumere locis, 
Teque tuamque urbem truculento milite cingi, 

Et jam Saxonicos arma parasse duces. 
Te circum late campos populatur Enyo, 

Et sata came virum jam cruor arva rigat ; 
Germanisque suum concessit Thracia Martem, 

Illuc Odrysios Mars pater egit equos ; 
Perpetuoque comans jam deflorescit oliva, 

Fugit et aerisonam Diva perosa tubam, 
Fugit Io terris, et jam non ultima vii go 

Creditur ad superas justa volasse domos. 
Te tamen interea belli circumsonat horror, 

Vtvis et ignoto solus inopsque solo ; 
Et, tibi quam patrii non exhibuere penates, 



490 Et.EGIAR.UM LIBER. 

Sede peregrina quseris egenus opem 
Patria dura parens, et saxis ssevior albis 

Spumea quae pulsat littoris unda tui, 
Siccine te decet innocuos exponere foetus, 

Siccine in externam ferrea cogis humum, 
Et sinis ut terris quaerant alimenta remotis 

Quos tibi prospiciens miserat ipse Deus, 
Et qui laeta ferunt de ccelo nuntia, quique 

Quae via post cineres ducat ad astra, docent ? 
Digna quidem Stygiis quae vivas clausa tenebris, 

^Eternaque animae digna perire fame ! 
Haud aliter vates terrae Thesbitidis olim 

Pressit inassueto devia tesqua pede, 
Desertasque Arabum salebras, dum regis Achabi 

Effugit.atque tuas, Sidoni dira, manus. 
Talis et, horrisono laceratus membra flagello, 

Paulus ab iEmathia pellitur urbe Cilix. 
Piscosaeque ipsum Gergessae civis lesum 

Finibus ingratus jussit abire suis. 
At tu sume animos, nee spes cadat anxia curis, 

Nee tua concutiat decolor ossa metus. 
Sis etenim quamvis fulgentibus obsitus armis, 

Intententque tibi millia tela necem, 
At nullis vel inerme latus violabitur armis, 

Deque tuo cuspis nulla cruore bibet. 
Namque eris ipse Dei radiante sub aegide tutus, 

Ille tibi custos, et pugil ille tibi ; 
llle Sionaeae qui tot sub moenibus arcis 

Assyrios fudit nocte silente vires'; 
Inque fugam vertit quos in Samaritadas oras 

Misijt ab antiquis prisca Damascus agris, 
Terruit et densas pavido cum rege cohortes, 

Aere dum vacuo buccina clara sonat, 
Cornea pulvereum dum verberat ungula campum, 

Currus arenosam dum quatit actus humum, 
Auditurque hinnitus equorum ad bella ruentum, 

Et strepitus ferri, murmuraque alta virum. 
Et tu (quod superest miseris) sperare memento, 

Et tua magnanimo pectore vince mala ; 
Nee dubites quandoque frui melioribus annis, 

Atque iterum patrios posse videre lares. 

ELEG. V.— Anno .Etatis 20. 

In adventum veris. 

In se perpetuo Tempus revolubile gyro 
Jam revocat Zephyros vere tepente novos ; 



r.I.FGlAUUM LIBER. 



491 



Induiturque brevem Tellus reparata juventam, 

Jamque soluta gelu dulce virescit humus. 
Fallor ? an et nobis redeunt in carmina vires, 

Ingeniumque mihi munere veris adest ? 
Munere veris adest, interumque vigescit ab illo 

(Quis putet) atque aliquod jam sibi poscit opus. 
Castalis ante oculos, bifidumque cacumen oberrat, 

Et mihi Pyrenen somnia nocte fount ; 
Concitaque arcano fervent mihi pectora motu, 

Et furor, et sonitus me sacer intus agit. 
Delius ipse venit, video Peneide lauro 

Implicitos crines, Delius ipse venit. 
Jam mihi mens liquidi raptatur in arduo cwli, 

Perque vagas nubes corpore liber eo ; 
Perque umbras, perque antra feror penetralia vatum, 

Et mihi fana patent interiora deum ; 
Intuiturque animus toto quid agatur Olympo, 

Nee fugiunt oculos Tartara caeca meos. 
Quid tarn grande sonat distento spiritus ore ? 

Quid parit hsec rabies, quid sacer iste furor 1 
Ver mihi, quod dedit ingenium, cantabitur illo ; 

Profuerint isto reddita dona modo. 
Jam Philomela tuos foliis adoperta novellis 

Instituis modulos, dum silet omne nemus : 
Urbe ego, tu sylva simul incipiamus utrique, 

Et simul adventum veris uterque canat. 
Veris Io rediere vices, celebremus honores 

Veris, et hoc subeat Musa perennis opus. 
Jam sol iEthiopas fugiens Tithoniaque arva, 

Flectit ad Arctoas aurea lora plagas. 
Est breve noctis iter, brevis est mora noctis opacse, 

Horrida cum tenebris exulat ilia suis. 
Jamque Lycaonius, plaustrum cceleste Bootes 

Non longa sequitur fessus ut ante via ; 
Nunc etiam solitas circum Jovis atria toto 

Excubias agitant sidera rara polo. 
Nam dolus, et csedes, et vis cum nocte recessit. 

Neve Giganteum Dii timuere scelus. 
Forte aliquis scopuli recubans in vertice pastor, 

Roscida cum primo sole rubescit humus, 
Hac, ait, hac certe caruisti nocte pueM 

Phoebe, tua, celeres quae retineret equos. 
Lseta suas repetit silvas, pharetramque resumit 

Cynthia, Luciferas ut videt alta rotas, 
Et tenues ponens radios gaudere videtur 

Officium fieri tarn breve fratris ope. 
" Dcsere," Phoebus ait, <( thalamos, Aurora, seniles, 



492 ELEGIAUUM LIBER, 

Quid juvat effoeto procubuisse toro ? 
Te manet iEolides viridi venator in herba, 

Surge, tuos ignes altus Hymettus habet." 
Flava verecundo dea crimen in ore fatetur, 

Et matutinos ocius urget equos. 
Exuit invisam Tellus rediviva senectam, 

Et cupit amplexus Phoebe subire tuos ; 
Et cupit, et digna est, quid enim formosius ill&, 

Pandit ut omniferOs luxuriosa sinus, 
Atque Arabum spirat messes, et ab ore venusto 

Mitia cum Paphiis fundit amoma rosis ! 
Ecce coronatur sacro frons ardua luco, 

Cingit ut Idseam pinea turris Opim ; 
Et vario madidos intexit flore capillos, 

Floribus et visa est posse placere suis. 
Floribus effusos ut erat redimita capillos 

Teenario placuit diva Sieana Deo. 
Aspice Phoebe tibi faciles hortantur amores, 

Mellitasque movent flamina verna pieces. 
Cinnamea Zephyrus leve plaudit odorifer ala, 

Blanditiasque tibi ferre videntur aves. 
Nee sine dote tuos temeraria quserit amores 

Terra, nee optatos poscit egena toros, 
Alma salutiferum medicos tibi gramen in usus 

Prsebet, et hinc titulos adjuvat ipsa tuos. 
Quod si te pretium, si te fulgentia tangunt 

Munera, (muneribus ssepe coemptus amor) 
Ilia tibi ostentat quascunque sub sequore vasto, 

Et superinjectis montibus, abdit opes. 
Ah quoties dum tu clivoso fessus Olympo 

In vespertinas prsecipitaris aquas, 
" Cur te," inquit, " cursu languentem Phoebe diurno 

Hesperiis recipis cserula Mater aquis ? 
Quid tibi cum Tethy ! Quid cum Tartesside lymplia, 

Dia quid immunda perluis ora salo ? 
Frigora Phoebe mea melius captabis in umbra, 

Hue ades, ardentes imbue rore comas. 
Mollior egelida veniet tibi somnus in herba, 

Hue ades, et gremio lumina pone meo. 
Quaque jaces circum mulcebit lene susurrans 

Aura per humentes corpora fusa rosas. 
Nee me (crede mihi) terrent Semeleia fata, 

Nee Phaetonteo fumidus axis equo ; 
Cum tu Phoebe tuo sapientius uteris igni, 

Hue ades, et gremio lumina pone meo." 
Sic Tellus lasciva suos suspirat amores : 

Matris in exemplum ceetera turba ruunt. 



F.LEGIARUM LIBFR. 493 

Nunc etenim toto currit vagus orbe Cupido, 

Languentesque fovet solis ab igne faces. 
Insonuere novis lethalia cornua nervis, 

Triste micant ferro tela corusca novo. 
Jamque vel invictam ten tat superasse Dianani, 

Quaeque sedet sacro Vesta pudica foco. 
Ipsa senescentem reparat Venus annua formam, 

Atque iterum tepido creditur orta mati. 
Marmoreas juvenes clamant Hymenae per urbcs, 

Littus, Io Hymen, et cava saxa sonant. 
Cultior ill venit tunicaque decentior apta, 

Puniceum redolet vestis odora crocum. 
Egrediturque frequens, ad amceni gaudia veris 

Virgineos auro cincta puella sinus. [unum, 

Votum est cuique suum, votum est tamen omnibus 

Ut sibi, quern cupiat, det Cytherea virum. 
Nunc quoque septena modulatur arundine pastor, 

Et sua quae jungat carmina Phyllis habet. 
Navita nocturno placat sua sidera cantu, 

Delphinasque leves ad vada summa vocat. 
Jupiter ipse alto cum conjuge ludit Olympo, 

Gonvocat et famulos ad sua festa deos. 
Nunc etiam Satyri, cum sera crepuscula surgunt, 

Pervolitant celeri florea rura choro, 
Sylvanusque sua. cyparissi fronde revinctus, 

Semicaperque deus, semideusque caper . 
Quaeque sub arboribus Dryades latuere vetustis 

Per juga, per solos expatiantur agros. 
Per sata luxuriat fruticetaque Maenalius Pan, 

Vix Cybele mater, vix sibi tuta Ceres ; 
Atque aliquam cupidus praedatur Oreada Fan mis, 

Consulit in trepidos dum sibi Nympha pedes, 
Jamque latet, latitansque cupit male tecta videri, 

Et fugit, et fugiens pervelit ipsa capi. 
Dii quoque non dubitant ccelo praeponere sylvas, 

Et sua quisque sibi numina lucus habet. 
Et sua quisque diu sibi numina lucus habeto, 

Nee vos arborea dii precor ite domo. 
Te referant miseris te, Jupiter, aurea terris 

Saecla, quid ad nimbos aspera tela redis ? 
Tu saltern lente rapidos age Phoebe jugales 

Qua potes, et sensim tempora veris eant ; 
Brumaque productas tarde fcrat hispida noctes, 

Ingruat et nostro serior umbra polo. 



494 ELEGIATIUM LIBFR. 

ELEG. VI. 
Ad Carolum Deodatum ruri commo antem, 

Qui cum Idibus Decemb. scripsisset, et sua carmina 
excusari postulasset si solito minus essent bona, quod 
inter lautitias quibus erat ab amicis exceptus, hand 
satis felicem operam Musis dare se posse ajjirmabat. 
hoc habuit responsum. - 

Mitto tibi sanam non pleno ventre aalutem, 

Qua tu distento forte carere potes. 
At tua quid nostram prolectat Musa camcenam, 

Nee sinit optatis posse sequi tenebras ? 
Carmine scire velis quarn te redamemque colamque, 

Crede mihi vix hoc carmine scire queas. 
Nam neque noster amor modulis includitur arctis, 

Nee venit ad claudos integer ipse pedes. 
Quam bene solennes epulas, hilaremque Decembrem 

Festaque ccelifugam quse coluere deum, 
Deliciasque refers, hiberni gaudia ruris, 

Haustaque per lepidos Gallica musta focos ! 
Quid quereris refugam vino dapibusque poesin ? 

Carmen am at Bacchum, carmina Bacchus amat. 
Nee puduit Phoebum virides gestasse corymbos, 

Atque hederam lauro praeposuisse suae. 
Ssepius Aoniis clamavit collibus Euoe 

Mista Thyoneo turba novena choro. 
Naso Corallaeis mala carmina misit ab agris : 

Non illic epulse, non sata vitis erat. 
Quid nisi vina, rosasque racemiferumque Lyseum 

Cantavit brevibus Teia Musa modis ? 
Pindaricosque inflat numeros Teumesius Euan, 

Et redolet sumptum pagina quseque merum ; 
Dum gravis everso currus crepat axe supinus, 

Et volat Eleo pulvere fuscus eques. 
Quadrimoque madens Lyricen Romanus Iaccho 

Dulce canit Glyceran, flavicomamque Chloen. 
Jam quoque lauta tibi generoso mensa paratu 

Mentis alit vires, ingeniumque fovet. 
Massica foecundam despumant pocula venam, 

Fundis et ex ipso condita metra cado, 
Addimus his artes, fusumque per intima Phoebum 

Corda, favent uni Bacchus, Apollo, Ceres. 
Scilicet haud minim tarn dulcia carmina per te 

Numine composito tres peperisse deos. 
Nunc quoque Thressa tibi caelato barbitos auro 



ELEGIARUM LIBER. 



405 



Insonat arguta molliter icta manu ; 
Auditurque chelys suspensa tapetia circum, 

Virgineos tremula quae regat arte pedes. 
Ilia tuas saltern teneant spectacula Musas, 

Et revocent, quantum crapula pellit iners 
Crede mihi dum psallit ebur, comitataque plectrum 

Implet odoratus festa chorea tholos, 
Percipies taciturn per peetora serpere Phcebum, 

Quale repentinus permeat ossa calor, 
Perque puellares oculos digitumque sonantem 

Irruet in totos lapsa Thalia sinus. 
Namque Elegia levis multorum cura deorum est, 

Et vocat ad numeros quemlibet ilia suos ; 
Liber adest elegis, Eratoque, Ceresque, Venusque, 

Et cum purpurea matre tenellus Amor. 
Talibus inde licent convivia larga poetis, 

Saepius et veteri commaduisse mero. 
At qui bella refert, et adulto sub Jove ccelum, 

Heroasque pios, semideosque duces, 
Et nunc sancta canit superum consulta deorum, 

Nunc latrata fero regna profunda cane, 
II le quidem parce Samii pro more magistri 

Vivat, et innocuos praebeat herba cibos ; 
Stet prope fagineo pellucida lympha catillo, 

Sobriaque e puro pocula fonte bibat. 
Additur huic scelerisque vacans, et casta juventus, 

Et rigidi mores, et sine labe manus. 
Qualis veste nitens sacra, et lustralibus undis 

Surgis ad infensos augur iture deos. 
Hoc ritu vixisse ferunt post rapta sngacem 

Lumina Tiresian, Ogygiumque Linon, 
Et lare devoto profugum Calcnanta, senemque 

Orpheon edomitis sola per antra feris ; 
Sic dapis exiguus, sic rivi potor Homerus 

Dulichium vexit per freta longa virum, 
Et per monstrificam Perseiae Phoebados aulam, 

Et vada femineis insidiosa sonis, 
Perque tuas rex ime domos, ubi sanguine nigra 

Dicitur umbrarum detinuisse greges. 
Diis etenim sacer est vates, divumque sacesdos, 

Spirat et occultum pectus, et ora Jo\ em. 
At tu siquid agam scitabere (si modo saltern 

Esse putas tanti noscere siquid agam) 
Paciferum canimus coelesti semine Regem, 

Faustaque sacratis saecula pacta libris, 
Vagitumque Dei, et stabulantem paupere tecto 

Qui suprema suo cum Patre regna colit, 



496 ELEG1A11UM LIBER. 

Stelliparumque polum modulantesque ee there turmas 

Et subito elisos ad sua fan a deos. 
Dona quidem dedimus Christi Natalibus ilia, 

Ilia sub auroram lux mihi prima tulit. 
Te quoque pressa manent patriis meditata cicutis, 

Tu mihi, cui recitem, judicis instar eris. 

ELEG. VII.— Anno ^/tatis 19. 

Nondum blanda tuas leges Amathusia noram, 

Et Paphio vacuum pectus ab igne fuit. 
Saepe cupidineas, puerilia tela, sagittas, 

Atque tuum sprevi maxime numen Amor. 
Tu puer imbelles dixi transfige columbas, 

Conveniunt tenero mollia bella duci. 
Aut de passeribus timidos age, parve, triumphos 

Haec sunt militise digna trophsea tuae. 
In genus humanum quid inania dirigis arm a ? 

Non valet in fortes ista pharetra viros. 
Non tulit hoc Cyprius, neque enim deus ullus ad has 

Promptior et duplici jam ferus igne calet. 
Ver erat, et summse radians per culmina villae 

Attulerat primam lux tibi Maie diem : 
At mihi adhuc refugam quaerebant lumina noctem, 

Nee matutinum sustinuere jubar. 
Astat Amor lecto, pictis Amor impiger alis, 

Prodidit astantem mota pharetra deum : 
Prodidit et facies, et dulce minantis ocelli, 

Et quicquid puero dignum et Amore fuit. 
Talis in aeterno juvenis Sigeius Olympo 

Miscet amatori pocula plena Jovi ; 
Aut qui formosas pellexit ad oscula nymphas 

Thiodamantseus Naiade raptus Hylas. 
Addideratque iras, sed et has decuisse putares, 

Addideratque truces, nee sine felle minas. 
" Et miser exemplo sapuisses tutius," inquit, 

" Nunc mea quid possit dextera testis eris. 
Inter et expertos vires numerabere nostras, 

Et faciam vero per tua damna fidem. 
Ipse ego, si nescis, strato Pythone superbum 

Edomui Phoebum, cessit et ille mihi ; 
Et quoties meminit Peneidos, ipse fatetur 

Certius et gravius tela nocere mea. 
Me nequit adductum curvare peritius arcum, 

Qui post terga solet vincere, Parthus eques : 
Cydoniusque mihi cedit venator, et ille 

Inscius uxori qui necis author erat. 



ELV.GIARUM I.IBER. 49T 

Est etiam nobis ingens quoque victus Orion, 

Herculeseque manus, Herculeusque comes. 
Jupiter ipse licet sua fulmina torqueat in me, 

Haerebunt lateri spicula nostra Jovis 
Csetera quae dubitas melius mea tela docebunl, 

Et tua non leviter corda petenda mihi. 
Nee te stulte tuae poterunt defendere Musse, 

Nee tibi Phcebseus porriget anguis opem." 
Dixit, et aurato quatiens mucrone sagittam, 

Evolat in tepidos Cypridos ille sinus. 
At mihi risuro tonuit ferus ore minaci, 

Et mihi de puero non metus ullus erat. 
Et rnodo qua nostri spatiantur in urbe Quirites, 

Et modo villarum proxima rura placent. 
Turba frequens, facieque simillima turba dearum 

Splendida per medias itque reditque vias, 
Auctaque luce dies gemino fulgore coruscat, 

Fallor? an et radios hinc quoque Phoebus habet. 
Haec ego non fugi spectacula grata severus, 

Impetus et quo me fert juvenilis, agor. 
Lumina luminibus male providus obvia misi, 

Neve oculos potui continuisse meos. 
Unam forte aliis supereminuisse notabam, 

Principium nostri lux erat ilia mali. 
Sic Venus optaret mortalibus ipsa videri, 

Sic regina deum conspicienda fuit. 
Hanc memor objecit nobis malus ille Cupido, 

Solus et hos nobis texuit ante dolos. 
Nee procul ipse vafer latuit, multaeque sagittae, 

Et facis a tergo grande pependit onus. 
Nee mora, nunc ciiiis hossit, nunc virginis ori, 

Insilit hinc labiis, insidet inde genis : 
Et quascunque agilis partes jaculator oberrat, 

Hei mihi, mille locis pectus inerme ferit. 
Piotinus insoliti subierunt corda furores, 

Uror amans intus flammaque totus eram. 
Interea misero quag jam mihi sola placebat, 

Ablata est oculis non reditura meis. 
.Ast ego progredior tacite querebundus, et excors, 

Et dubius volui saepe referre pedem. 
Findor, et haec remanet, sequitor pars altera votum, 

Raptaque tarn subit6 gaudia flere j.uvat. 
Bic dolet amissum proles Junonia coelum, 

Inter Lemniacos praecipitata focos. 
Talis et abreptum solem respexit, ad Orcum 

Vectus ab attonitis Amphiar'aus equis. 



498 ELEGlAltUM LIBER. 

Quid i'aciam int'elix, et luctu victus? Amores 

Nee licet inceptos ponere, neve sequi. 
utinam spectare semel mihi detur amatos 

Vultus, et coram tristia verba loqui ; 
Forsitan et duro non est adamante creata, 

Forte nee ad nostras surdeat ilia preces. 
Crede mihi nullus sic infeliciter arsit, 

Ponar in exemplo primus et unus ego. 
Parce precor teneri cum sis deus ales am oris 

Pugnent officio nee tua facta tuo. 
Jam tuus O certe est mihi formidabilis arcus, 

Nate dea, jaculis nee minus igne potens : 
Et tua fumabunt nostris altaria donis, 

Solus et in superis tu mihi summus eris. 
Deme meos tandem, verum nee deme furores, 

Nescio cur, miser et suaviter omnis amans : 
Tu modo da facilis, posthsec mea siqua futura est, 

Cuspis amaturos figat ut una duos. 



ILec ego mente olim laeva, studioque supino 

Nequitise posui vana trophaea mese. 
Scilicet abreptum sic me malus impulit error, 

Indocilisque setas prava magistra fuit. 
Donee Socraticos umbrosa Academia rivos 

Prsebuit, admissum dedocuitque jugum. 
Protinus extinctis ex illo tempore flammis, 

Cincta rigent multo pectora nostra gelu. 
Unde suis frigus metuit puer ipse sagittis, 

Et Diomedeam vim timet ipsa Venus. 



EP1GRAMMATUM LIBER 



IN PR0D1TI0NEM BOMBARDICAM. 

Cum simul in regem nuper satrapasque Britannos 

Ausus es infandum perfide Fauxe nefas, 
Fallor ? An et mitis voluisti ex parte videri, 

Et pensare mala cum pietate scelus 1 
Scilicet hos alti missurus ad atria coeli, 

Sulphureo curru, flammivolisque rotis. 
Qualiter ille feris caput inviolabile Parcis 

Liquit Iordanios turbine raptus agros. 



IN EANDEM. 

iccine tentasti coelo donasse Iacobum 

Quae septemgemino Bellua monte lates ? 
Ni meliora tuum poterit dare munera numen. 

Parce. precor, donis insidiosa tuis. 
Ille quidem sine te consortia serus adivit 

Astra, nee inferni pulveris usus ope. 
Sic potius fcedos in coelum pelle cucullos 

Et quot habet brutos Roma profana deos, 
Namque hac aut alia, nisi quemque adjuveris arte, 

Crede mihi, coeli vix bene scandet iter. 



IN EANDEM. 

Purgatorem animse derisit Iacobus ignem, 
Et sine quo superum non adeunda domus. 

Frenduit hoc trina monstrum Latiale corona, 
Movit et horrificum cornua dena minax. 



500 EPIGRAMMATUM LIBER. 

" Et nee inultus" ait l * temnes mea sacra Britanne, 

Supplicium spreta religione dabis. 
Et si stelligeras unquam penetraveris arces, 

Non nisi per flammas triste patebit iter." 
O quam funesto cecinisti proxima vero, 

Verbaque ponderibus vix caritura suis ! 
Nam prope Tartareo sublime" rotatus ab igni 

Ibat ad sethereas umbra perusta plazas. 



IN EANDEM. 

Quem mod6 Roma suis devoverat impia diris, 
Et Styge damnarat, Taenarioque sinu, 

Hunc vice mutata jam tollere gestit ad astra, 
Et cupit ad superos evehere usque deos. 



IN INVENTOREM BOMBARDS. 

Iapetionidem laudavit caeca vetustas, 
Qui tulit eetheream solis ab axe facem ; 

At mihi major erit, qui lurida creditur anna, 
Et trifidum fulmen surripuisse Jovi. 

VI. 
AD LEONORAM ROM.E CANENTEM.* 

Angelus unicuique suus sic credite gentes 

Obtigit sethereis ales ab ordinibus. 
Quid mirum ? Leonora tibi si glorio major. 

Nam tua prsesentem vox sonat ipsa Deum. 
Aut Deus, aut vacui cert& mens tertia coeli 

Per tua secreto guttura serpit agens ; 
Serpit agens, facilisque docet mortalia corda 

Sensim immortali assuescere posse sono. 
Quod si cuncta quidem Deus est, per cunctaque fusus 

In te una loquitur, csetera mutus habet, 

VII. 
AD EANDEM. 

Altera Torquatum cepit Leonora poetam, 
Cujus ab insano cessit amore furens. 

* Adriana of Mantua, for her beauty surnamed the Fair, and 
her daughter Leonora Baroni, the Lady whom Milton celebrates 
in these three Latin Epigrams, were esteemed by their contem- 
poraries the finest singers in the world. — Warton. 



EP IG K A M M ATU M LIBER. 501 

All miser i lie tuo quant6 felicius aevo 

Perditus, et propter te Leonora foret ! 
Et te Pieria sensisset voce canentem 

Aurea maternse fila movere lyrse, 
Quamvis Dirceeo torsisset lumina Pentheo 

Ssevior, aut totus desipuisset iners, 
Tu tamen errantes cseca vertigine sensus 

Voce eadem poteras composuisse tua ; 
Et poteras segro spirans sub corde quietem 

Flexanimo cantu restituisse sibi. 



AD EANDEM. 

Credula quid liquidam Sirena Neapoli jactas, 

Claraque Parthenopes fana Acheloiados 
Littoreamque tua defunctam Naiada ripa 

Corpora Chalcidico sacra dedisse rogo ? 
Ilia quidem vivitque, et amcena Tibridis unda 

Mutavit rauci murmura Pausilipi. 
Illic Romulidum studiis ornata secundis, 

Atque homines cantu detinet atque deos. 



IN SALMASH HUNDREDAM. 

Quis expedivit Salmasio suam Hundredam, 
Picamque docuit verba nostra conari ? 
Magister artis venter, et Jacobsei 
Centum, exulantis viscera marsupii regis. 
Quod si dolosi spes refulserit nummi, 
Ipse, Antichristi qui modo primatum Papse 
Minatus uno est dissipare sufflatu, 
Cantabit ultr6 Cardinalitium melos. 



IN SALMASIUM.f 

Gaudete scombri, et quicquid est piscium salo, 
Qui frigida hyeme incolitis algentes freta \ 
Vestrum misertus ille Salmasius, Eques 



* This Epigram is in Milton's Defensio against Salmasius. 

f This is in the Defensio secunda. It is introduced with 
the following ridicule on Morus, the subject of the next Epi- 
gram, for having predicted the wonders to be worked by Salma- 
sius's new edition, or rather reply. " Tu igitvir ut pisciculus 
ille anteambulo, prsecurris balsenam Salmasium." 



502 EPIGRAMMATUM LIBER. 

Bonus, amicire nuditatem cogitat ; 
Chartaeque largus apparat papyrinos 
Vobis cucullos, praeferentes Claudii 
Insignia, nomenque et decus, Salmasii : 
Gestetis ut per omne cetarium forum 
Equitis clientes, scriniis mungentium 
Cubito virorum, et capsulis, gratissimos, 



IN MORUM. 

Galli ex concubitu gravidam te, Pontia, Mori 
Quis bene moratam, morigeramque, neget 1 



APOLOGUS DE RUSTICO ET HERO.* 

Rusticus ex malo sapidissima poina quotannis 

Legit, et urbano lecta dedit domino : 
Hinc incredibili fructus dulcedine captus 

Malum ipsam in proprias transtulit areolas. 
Hactenus ilia ferax, sed longo debilis sevo, 

Mota solo assueto, protinus aret iners. 
Quod tandem ut patuit domino, spe lusus inani, 

Damnavit celeres in sua damna manus, 
Atque ait, " Heu quanto satius fuit ilia coloni, 

Parva licet, grato dona tulisse animo ! 
Possem ego avaritiam frsenare, gulamque voracem : 

Nunc periere mihi et foetus et ipse parens." 



AD CHRI9TINAM SUECORUM REGINAM, NOMINK 
CROMWELLI. 

Bellipotens virgo, septem regina trionum, 

Christina, Arctor lucida Stella poli ! 
Cernis, quas merui dura sub casside, rugas, 

Utque senex, armis impiger, ora tero : 
Invia fatorum dum per vestigia nitor, 

Exequor et populi fortia jussa manu. 
A st tibi submittit frontem reverentior umbra 

Nee sunt hi vultus regibus usque truces. 

* This piece first appeared in the edition 1673 



SILVARTJM LIBER. 



IN 06ITUM rROCANCELLAltll, MEDICI.* 

Anno JEtatis 17. 

Parere Fati discite legibus, 
Manusque Parcae jam date supplices, 
Qui pendulum telluris orbem 
Iapeti colitis nepotes. 
Vos si relicto mors vaga Taenaro 
Semel vocarit flebilis, heu morae 
Tentantur incassum dolique ; 

Per tenebras Stygis ire certum est. 
Si destinatam pellere dextera 
Mortem valeret, non ferus Hercules 
Nessi venenatus cruore 
iEmathia jacuisset Oeta. 
Nee fraude turpe Palladis invidae 
Vidisset occisum Ilion Hectora, aut 
Quern larva Pelidis peremit 
Ense Locro, Jove lacrymante. 
Si triste fatum verba Hecateia 
Fug-are possint, Telegoni parens 
Vixisset infamis, potentique 
iEgiali soror usa virga. 
Numenque trinum fallere si queant 
Artes medentum, ignotaque gramina, 
Non gnarus herbarum Machaon 
Eurypyli cecidisset hasta. 

* This Ode is on the death of Doctor John Goslyn, Master 
of Caius College, and King's Professor of Medicine at Cam- 
bridge ; who died while a second time Vice- Chancellor of that 
University, in October, 1626. See Fuller's Hist. Cambr. p. 164. 
Milton was now seventeen. But he is here called sixteen in 
the editions of 1645, and 1673.— Warton. 



604 S1LVARUM LIBER. 

Leesisset et nee te Philyreie 
Sagitta Echidnee perlita sanguine, 
Nee tela te fulmenque avitum 
Caese puer genitricis alvo. 
Tuque O alumno major Apoliine, 
Gentis togatee cui regimen datum, 
Frondosa quern nunc Cirrh a lugct, 
Et medhs Helicon in undis, 
Jam praefuisses Palladio gregi 
Laetus, superstes, nee sine gloria, 
Nee puppe lustrasses Charon tis 
Horribiles barathri recessus. 
At fila rupit Persephone tua 
Irata, cum te viderit artibus 
Succoque pollenti tot atris 
Faucibus eripuisse mortis. 
Colende Preeses, membra precor tua 
Molli quiescant cespite, et ex tuo 
Crescant rosea, caltheeque busto, 
Purpureoque hyacinthus ore. 
Sit mite de te judicium iEaci, 
Subrideatque iEtnea Proserpina, 
Interque felices perennis 
Elysio spatiere campo. 

IN QUINTUM NOVEMBIUS. 

Anno JEtatis 17. 

Jam pius extrema veniens Iacobus ab arcto 
Teucrigenas populos, lateque patentia regna 
Albionum tenuit, jamque inviolabile foedus 
Sceptra Caledoniis conjuxerat Anglica Scotis : - 
Pacificusque novo felix divesque sedebat 
In solio, occultique doli securus et hostis : 
Cum ferus ignifluo regnans Acheronte tyrannus, 
Eumenidum pater, eethereo vagus exul Olympo, 
Forte per immensum terrarum erraverat orbem, 
Dinumerans sceleris socios, vernasque fideles, 
Participes regni post funera rnoesta futuros : 
Hie tempestates medio ciet aere diras, 
Ulic unanimes odium struit inter amicos, 
Armat et invictas in mutua viscera gentes ; 
Regnaque olivifera. vertit florentia pace, 
Et quoscunque videt puree virtutis amantes, 
Hos cupit adjicere imperio, fraudumque magister 
Tentat inacces^um sceleri corrumpere pectus, 



S1J, VARUM LIBLR. 506 

Tnsidiasque \ocat tacitas, cassesque latentes 
Tendit, ut incautos rapiat, ceu Caspia tigris 
Insequitur trepidam deserta per avia prsedam 
Nocte sub illuni, et somno nictantibus astris. 
Talibus infestat populos Summanus et urbes 
Cinctus caeruleae fumanti turbine flammae. 
Jamque fluentisonis albentia rupibus arva 
Apparent, et terra Deo dilecta marino, 
Cui nomen dederat quondam Neptunia proles, 
Amphitryoniaden qui non dubitavit atrocem 
iEquore tranato furiali poscere bello, 
Ante expugnatae credulia saecula Trojse, 

At simul banc opibusque et festa pace beatum 
Aspicit, et pingues donis Cerealibus agios, 
Quodque magis doluit, venerantem numina veri 
Sancta Dei populum, tandem suspiria rupit 
Tartareos ignes et luridum olentia suphur ; 
Qualia Trinacria trux ab Jove clausus in iEtna 
Efflat tabifico monstrosus ob ore Tiphoeus. 
Ignescunt oculi, stridetque adamantinus ordo 
Dentis, ut armorum fragor, ictaque cuspide cuspis 
" Atque pererrato solum hoc lacrymabile mundo 
Inveni,' dixit, " gens hsec mihi sola rebellis, 
Contemtrixque jugi, nostraque potentior arte. 
Ilia tamen, mea si quicquam tentamina possunt, 
Non feret hoc impune diu, non ibit inulta." 
Hactenus ; et piceis liquido natat acre pennis ; 
Qua volat, adversi prsecursant agmine venti, 
Densantur nubes, et crebra tonitrua fulgent. 

Jamque pruinsas velos superaverat Alpes, 
Et tenet Ausonise fines, a parte sinistra 
Nimbifer Appenninus erat, priscique Sabini, 
Dextra beneficiis infamis Hetruria, nee non 
Te furtiva Tibris Thetidi videt oscula dantem ; 
Hinc Mavortigense consistit in arce Quirini. 
Reddiderant dubiam jam sera crepuscula lucem, 
Cum circumgreditur totum Tricoronifer urbem, 
Panificosque deos portat, scapulisque virorum 
Evehitur, prseeunt submisso poplite reges, 
Et mendicantum series longissima fratrum ; 
Cereaque in manibus gestant funalia cseci, 
Cimmeriis nati in tenebris, vitamque trahentes. 
Templa dein multis subeunt lucentia tsedis 
(Vesper erat sacer iste Petto) fremitusque canentum 
Saepe tholos implet vacuos, et inane locorum. 
Qualiter exulat Bromius, Bromiique caterva, 
Orgia cantentes in Echionio Aracyntho, 



606 



SILVAUUM LIBER. 



Dum tremit attonitus vitreis Asopus in undis, 
Et procul ipse cava responsat rape Githceron. 

His igitur tandem solenni more peractis, 
Nox senis amplexus Erebi taciturna reliquit, 
Praecipitesque impellit equos stimulante flagello, 
Captum oculisTyphlonta, Melanchoetemque ferocem, 
Atque Acherontseo prognatam patre Siopen 
Torpidam, et hirsutis horrentem Phrica capillis. 
Interea regum domitor, Phlegetontius hoeres 
Ingreditur thalamos, neque enim secretus adulter 
Producit steriles molli sine pellice noctes ; 
At vix composites somnus claudebat ocellos, 
Cum niger umbrarum dominus, rectorque silentum, 
Proedatorque hominum, falsa sub imagine tectus 
Astitit, assumptis micuerunt tempora canis, 
Barba sinus promissa tegit, cineracea Ion go 
Syrmate verrit humum vestis, pendetque cucullus 
Vertice de raso, et ne quicquam desit ad artes, 
Cannabeo lumbos constrixit fune salaces, 
Tarda senestratis figens vestigia calceis. 
Talis, utl fama est, vasta. Franciscus eremo 
Tetra vagabatur solus per lustra ferarum, 
Silvestrique tulit genti pia verba salutis 
Impius, atque lupos domuit, Libycosque leones. 

Subdolus at tali Serpens velatus amictu 
Solvit in has fallax ora execrantia voces ; 
' ' Dormis, nate ? Etiamne tuos sopor opprimit artus ? 
Immemor O fidei, pecorumque obilite tuorum ! 
Dum cathedram venerande tuam, diademaque triplex 
Ridet Hyperboreo gens barbara nata sub axe, 
Dumque pharetrati spernunt tua jura Britanni ; 
Surge, age, surge piger, Latinus quern Ccesar adorat, 
Cui reserata patet convexi janua coeli, 
Turgentes animos, et fastus frange procaces, 
Sacrilegique sciant, tua quid maledictio possit, 
Et quid Apostolicae possit custodia clavis ; 
Et memor Hesperioe disjectam ulciscere classem, 
Mersaque Iberorum late vexilla profundo, 
Sanctorumque cruci tot corpora fixa probossej 
Thermodoontea. nuper regnante puella. 
At tu si tenero movis torpsecere lecto, 
Crescentesque negas hosti contendere vires, 
Tyrrhenum implebit numeroso milite pontum, 
Signaque Aventino ponet fulgentia colle : 
Reliquias veterum franget, flammisque cremabit, 
Sacraque calcabit pedibus tea colla profanis, 
Cujus gaudebant soleis dare basia reges. 



SILVAKUM LIBER 507 

Nec tamen hunc bellis et aperto Marte lacesses, 
Irritus ille labor, ta callidus utere fraude, 
Queelibet hseretices disponere retia fas est ; 
Jamque ad consilium extremis rex magnus ab oris 
Patricios vocat, et procerum de stirpe creatos, 
Grandsevosque patres trabea, canisque verendos ; 
Hos tu membratim poteris conspergere in auras, 
Atque dare in cineres, nitrati pulveris igne 
vEdibus injecto, qua convenere, sub imis. 
Protinus ipse igitur quoscunque habet Anglio fidos 
Propositi, factique mone, quisquamne tuorum 
Audebit summi non jussa facessere Papse ? 
Perculsosque metu subito, casuque stupentes 
Invadat vel Gallus atrox, vel ssevus Iberus. 
SoBCula sic illic tandem Mariana redibunt, 
Tuque in belligeros iterum dominaberis Anglos. 
Et nequid timeas, divos divasque secundas 
Accipe, quotque tuis celebrantur numina fastis." 
Dixit et, adscitos ponens malefidus amictus 
Fugit ad infandam, regnum illcetabile, Lethen. 

Jam rosea Eoas pandens Tithonia portas 
Vestit inauratas redeunti lumine terras 
Mo3Staque adhuc nigri deplorans funera niti 
Irrigat ambrosiis montana cacumina guttis ; 
Cum somnos pepulit stellatsc janitor auise, 
Nocturnos visus, et somnia grata revolvens. 

Est locus seterna septus caligine noctis, 
Vasta ruinosi quondam fundamina tecti, 
Nunc torvi spelunca Phoni, Prodotseque billinguis, 
Effera quos uno peperit Discordia partu. 
Hie inter coementa jacent prseruptaque saxa, 
Ossa inhumata virum, et trajecta cadavera ferro ; 
Hie Dolus intortus semper sedet ater ocellis, 
Jurgiaque, et stimulis armata Calumnia fauces, 
Et Furor, atque viae moriendi mille videntur, 
Et Timor, exanguisque locum circumvolat Horror, 
Perpetuoque leves per muta silentia Manes 
Exululant, telluset sanguine conscia stagnat. 
Ipsi etiam pavidi latitant penetralibus antri 
Et Phonos, etProdotes; nulloquesequente per antrum, 
Antrum horrens, scopulosum, atrum feralibus umbris 
Diffugiunt sontes, et retro lumina vortunt ; 
Hos pugiles Romoe per saecula longa fideles 
Evocat antistes Babylonius, atque ita fatur. 

u Finibus occiduis circumfusum incoHt oequor 
Gens exosa mihi, prudens Natura negavit 
Indignam penitus nostro conjungere mundo : 



£>08 S1LVARUM LIBER. 

Illuc, sic jubeo, celeri contendite gressu, 
Tartareoque leves difflentur pulvere in auras 
Et rex et pariter satrapce, scelerata propago, 
Et, quotquot fidei caluere cupidine veroe, 
Consilii socios adhibete, operisque ministros." 
Finierat, rigidi cupide parueri gemelli. 

Interea longo flectens curvamine cceloa 
Despicit oetherea dominus qui fiilgurat arce, 
Vanaque perversoe ridet conamina turboe, 
Atque sui causam populi volet ipse tueri. 

Esse ferunt spatium, qua distat ab Aside terra 
Fertilis Europe, et spectat Mareotidas undas ; 
Hie turris posita est Titanidos ardua Famce 
iErea, lata, sonans, rutilis vicinior astris 
Quam superimpositum vel Athos vel Pelion Ossoe. 
Mille fores aditusque patent, totidemque fenestra, 
Amplaque per tenues translucent atria muros : 
Excitat hie varios plebs agglomerata susurros ; 
Qualiter instrepitant circum mulctralia bombis 
Agmina muscarum, aut texto per ovilia junco, 
Dum Canis eestivum cceli petit adua culmen. 
Ipsa quidem summa sedet ultrix matris in arce, 
Auribus innumeris cinctum caput eminet olli, 
Queis sonitum exiguum trahit, atque levissima captat 
Murmura, ab extremis patuli confinibus orbis. 
Nee tot, Aristoride servator inique juvencae 
Isidos, immiti volvebas lumina vultu, 
Lumina non unquam tacito nutantia somno, 
Lumina subjectas late spectantia terras. 
Istis ilia solet loca luce carentia saepe 
Perlustrare, etiam radianti impervia soli : 
Millenisque loquax auditaque visaque linguis 
Cuilibet effundit temeraria, veraque mendax 
Nunc minuit, modo confictis sermonibus auget. 
Sed tamen a nostro meruisti carmine laudes 
Fama, bonum quo non aliud veracius ullum, 
Nobis digna cani, nee te memorasse pigebit 
Carmine tam longo, servati scilicet Angli 
Officiis vaga diva tuis, tibi reddimus aequa. 
Te Deus, aeternos motu qui temperat ignes, 
Fulmine praemisso alloquitur, terraque tremente : 
Fama siles ? an te latet impia Papistarum 
Conjurata cohors in meque^meosque Britannos, 
Et novo sceptigero caedes meditata Iacobo ? 
Nee plura, ilia statim sensit mandata Tonantis, 
Et satis ante fugax stridentis induit alas, 
Induit et variis exilia corpora plumis ; 



SILVARiJM LIBER. 509 

Dextra tubam gestat Temesaeo ex aere sonoram. 
Nee mora jam pennis cedentes remigat auras, 
Atque parum est cursu celeres, prasvertere nubes, 
Jam ventos, jam solis equos post terga reliquit : 
Et primo Angliacas solsto de more per urbes 
Ambiguas voces, incertaque murmura spargit, 
Mox arguta dolos, et detestabile vulgat 
Proditionis 6pus, nee non facta horrida dictu, 
Autheresque addit sceleris, nee garrula caecis 
Insidiis loca structa silet; stupuere relatis, 
Et pariter juvenes, pariter tremuere puellae, 
Effcetique senes pariter tantseque ruinae 
Sensus ad aetatem subito penetraverat omnera. 
Attamen interea populi miserescit ab alto 
iEthereus pater, et credulibus obstitit ausis 
Papicolum ; capti poenas raptantur ad acres ; 
At pia thura Deo, et grati solvuntur honores ; 
Com pita laeta focis genialibus omnia fumant ; 
Turba choros juvenilis agit : Quintoque Novembris 
Nulla dies toto occurrit celebratior anno. 

Anno cetatis 17. In ob'iium Prasulis Eliensis. 

Adhuc madentes rore squalebant genae, 

Et sicca nondum lumina 
Adhuc liquentis imbre turgebant salis, 

Quern nuper effudi pius, 
Dum mcesta charo justa persolvi rogo 

Wintoniensis Praesulis. 
Cum centilinguis Fama (pro semper mali 

Cladisque vera nuntia) 
Spargit per urbes divitis Britannise, 

Populosque Neptuno satos, 
Cessisse morti, et fereris sororibus 

Te generis humani decus, 
Qui rex sacrorum ilia fuisti in insula 

Quae nomen Anguillae tenet., 
Tunc in quietum pectus ira protinus 

Ebulliebat fervida, 
Tumulis potentem saepe devolvens deam : 

Nee vota Naso in Ibida 
Concepit alto diriora pectore, 

Graiusque vates parciu 
Turpem Lycambis execratus est dolum, 

Sponsamque Neobolen suam. 
At ecce diras ipse dum fundo graves, 

Et imprecor neci necem, 



510 SILVARUM LIBER. 

Audisse tales videor attonitus sonos 

Leni, sub aura, flamine : 
Csecos furores prone, pone vitream 

Bilemque et irritas minas, 
Quid temere violas non nocenda numina, 

Subitoque ad iras pereita ? 
Non est, ut arbitraris elusus miser, 

Mors atra Noctis filia, 
Erebove patre creta, sive Erinnye, 

Vastove nata sub Chao : 
Ast ilia ccelo missa stellato, Dei 

Messes ubique colligit ; 
Animasque mole carnea reconditas 

In lucem et auras evocat ; 
Ut cum fugaces excitant Horse diem 

Themidos Jovisque filiee ; 
Et sempiterni ducit ad vultus patris : 

At justa raptat impios 
Sub regna furvi luctuosa Tartari, 

Sedesque subterraneas. 
Hanc ut vocantem lgetus audivi, cito 

Foedum reliqui carcerem, 
Volatilesque faustus inter tnilites 

Ad astra sublimis feror : 
Vates ut olim raptus ad ccelum sen ex 

Auriga currus ignei. 
Non me Bootis terruere lucidi 

Sarraca tarda frigore, aut 
Formidolosi scorpionis brachia, 

Non ensis Orion tuus. 
Prsetervolvavi fulgidi sol is globum, 

Longeque sub pedibus deam 
Vidi triformem, dum coercebat suos 

Freenis dracones aureis. 
Erraticorum, siderum per ordines, 

Per lacteas vehor plagas, 
Velocitatem saepe miratus novam, 

Donee nitentes ad fores 
Ventum est Olympi, et regiam crystallynarn et 

Stratum smaragdis atrium. 
Sed hie tacebo, nam quis effare queat 

Oriundus humano patre 
Amoenitates illius loci ? mihi 

Sat est in eternum frui. 



S1LVA11UM LIBER. 511 

Natvram non pati senium. 

Heu quam perpetuis erroribus acta fatiscit 

Avia mens hominum, tenebrisque immersa profundi* 

Oedipodioniam volvit sub pectore noctem ! 

Quae vesana suis metiri facta deorum 

Audet, et incisas leges adamante perenni 

Assimilare suis, nulloque solubile saeclo 

Concilium fati perituris alligat horis. 

Ergone marcescet sulcantibus obsita rugis 
Naturae facies, et rerum publrca mater 
Omniparum contracta uterum sterilescet ab sevo ? 
Et se fassa senem male certis passibus ibit 
Sidereum tremebunda caput ? num tetra vetustas 
Annommque aeterna fames, squallorque situ ^ que 
Sidera vexabunt? an et insatiabile Tempus 
Esuriet Ccelum, rapietque in viscera patreni ? 
Heu, potuitne suas imprudens Jupiter arces 
Hoc contra munisse nefas, et Temporis isto 
Exemisse malo, gyrosque dedisse perennes ? 
Ergo erit ut quandoque sono dilapsa tremeudo 
Convexi tabulata ruant, atque obvius ictu 
Stridat uterque polus, superaque ut Olympius aula 
Decidat, horribilisque retecta Gorgone Pallas ; 
Qualis in iEgeam proles Junonia Lemnon 
Deturbata sacro cecidit de limine coeli ? 
Tu quoque Phoebe tui casus imitabere nati 
Prsecipiti curru, subitaque ferere ruina. 
Pronus, et extincta fumabit lampade Nereus, 
Et dabit attonito feralia sibila ponto. 
Tunc etiam aerei divulsus sedibus Haemi 
Dissultabis apex, imoque allisa barathro 
Terrebunt Stygium dejecta Ceraunia Ditem, 
In superos quibus usus erat, fraternaque bella. 

At Pater omnipotens fundatis fortius astris 
Consuluit rerum summae, certoque peregit 
Pondere fatorum lances, atque ordine summo 
Singula perpetuum jussit servare tenorem. 
Volvitur hinc lapsu mundi rota prima diurno ; 
Raptat et ambitos socia vertigine ccelos. 
Tardior haud solito Saturnus, et acer ut olim 
Fulmineum rutilat cristata. casside Mavors. 
Floridus aeternum Phoebus juvenile coruscat 
Nee fovet effcetas loca per declivia terras 
Devexo temone Deus ; sed semper arnica 
Luce potens eadem currit per signa rotarum. 
Surgit odoratis pariter formosis ab Indis 



512 9ILVARUM LiBER 

iEthereum pecus albenti qui cog-it Olympo 
Mane vocans, et serus agens in pasciia coeli, 
Temporis et gemino dispertit regna colore, 
Fulget, obitque vices alterno Delia cornu ; 
Caeruleumque ignem paribus complectitur ulnis. 
Nee variant elementa fidem, solitoque fragore 
Lurida perculsas jaculantur fulmina rupes. 
Nee per inane furit leviori murmure Corus, 
Stringit et armiferos aequali horrore Gelonos 
Trux Aquilo, spiratque hyemem, nimbosque voiutat. 
Utque solet, Siculi diverberat ima Pelori 
Rex maris, et rauca circumstrepit sequora concha 
Oceani Tubicen, nee vasta mole minorem 
iEgeona ferunt. dorso Balearica cete. 
Sed neque Terra tibi saecli vigor ille vetusti 
Priscus abest, servatque suum Narcissus odorem, 
Et puer ille suum tenet et puer ille decorem 
Phoebe tuusque et Cypri tuus, nee ditior oiim 
Terra datum sceleri celavit montibus aurum 
Conscia, vel sub aquis gemmas. Sic denique in aevum 
Ibit cunctarum series justissima rerum, 
Donee flamma orbem populabitur ultima, late 
Circumplexa polos, et vasti culmina coeli ; 
Ingentique rogo flagrabit machina mundi. 

De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intcllcccit. 

Dicite sacrorum proesides nemorum deee 
Tuque O noveni perbeata numinis 
Memoria mater, qugequi in immenso procul 
Antro recumbis otioso JEternitas, 
Monumenta servans, et ratas leges Jovis, 
Coelique fastos atque ephemeridas Deum, 
Quis ille primus c.ujus ex imagine 
Natura solers finxit humanum genus, 
iEternus, incorruptus, sequsevus polo, 
Unusque et universus, exemplar Dei ? 
Haud ille Palladis gemellus innubae 
Interna proles insidet menti Jovis ,• 
Sed quamlibet natura sit communior, 
Tamen seorsus extat ad morem unius, 
Et, mira, certo stringitur spatio loci ; 
Seu sempiternus ille siderum comes 
Coeli pererrat ordines decemplicis, 
Citimumve terris incolit lunae globum : 
Sive inter animas corpus adituras sedens 
Obliviosas torpet ad Lethes aquas : 
Sive in remota forte terrarum plaga 



S1LVARUM LIB£K. 513 

Incedit ingens hominis archetypus gigas, 
Et diis tremendus erigit celsum caput 
Atlante major portitore siderum. 
Non cui profundum csecitas lumen dedit 
Dircseus augur vidit hunc alto sinu ; 
Non hunc silenti nocte Pleiones nepos 
Vatum sagaci prsepes ostendit choro ; 
Non hunc sacerdos novit Assyrius, licet 
Longos vetusti commemoret atavos Nini, 
Priscumque Belon, inclytumque Osiridem. 
Non ille trino gloriosus nomine 
Ter magnus Hermes (ut sit arcani sciens) 
Talem reliquit Icidis cultoribus. 
At tu perenne runs Academi decus 
(Hsec monstra si tu primus induxti scholis) 
Jam jam poetas urbis exules tuae 
Revocabis, ipse fabulator maximus, 
Aut institutor ipse migrabis foras. 

Ad Pair em. 

Nunc mea Pierios cupiam per pectora fontes 
Irriguas torquere vias, totumque per ora 
Volvere laxatum gemino de vertice rivum ; 
Ut tenues oblita sonos audacibus alis 
Surgat in officium venerandi Musa parentis. 
Hoc utcunque tibi gratum pater optime carmen 
Exiguum meditatur opus, nee novimus ipsi 
Aptius a nobis quae possint munera donis 
Respondere tuis, quamvis nee maxima possint 
Respondere tuis, nedum ut par gratia donis 
Esse queat, vacuis quae redditur arid a verbis. 
Sed tamen haec nostros ostendit pagina census, 
Et quod habemus opum charta. numeravimus ista, 
Quae mihi sunt nullae, nisi quas dedit aurea Clio, 
Quas mihi semoto somni peperere sub autro, 
Et nemoris laureta sacri Parnassides umbrae. 
Nee tu vatis opus divinum despice carmen, 
Quo nihil aethereos ortus, et semina cceli, 
Nil magis humanam commendat origine mentam, 
Sancta Prometheae retinens vestigia flammae. 
Carmen amant superi, tremebundaque Tartara carmci 
Ima ciere valet, divosque ligare profundos, 
Et triplici duros Manes adamante coercet. 
Carmine sepositi retegunt arcana futuri 
Phoebades, et tremulae pallentes ora Sybillae ; 
Carmine sacrificus sollennes pangit ad aras, 
Aurea seu sternit motantem cornua taurum ; 
2 l 



.514 SILVAHUM LIBER. 

Seu cum fata sagax fumantibus abdita fibris 
Consulit, et tepidis Parcam scrutatur in extis. 
Nos etiam patrium tunc eum rapetemus Olympum, 
iEternaeque morae stabunt immobilis aevi, 
Ibimus auratis per coeli templa coronis, 
Dulcia suaviloquo sociantes carmina plectro, 
Astra quibus, geminique poli convexa sonabunt. 
Spiritus et rapidos qui circinat igneus orbes, 
Nunc quoque sidereis intercinit ipse clioreis 
Immortale melos, et inenarrabile carmen; 
Torrida dum rutilus compescit sibila serpens, 
Demissoque ferox gladio mansuescit Orion ; 
Stellarum nee sentit onus Maurusius Atlas. 
Carmina regales epulas ornare solebant, 
Cum nondum luxus, vastaeque immensa vorago 
Nota gulae, et modico spumabat coena Lyaeo. 
Turn de more sedens festa ad convivia vates 
/Esculea intonsos redimitus ab arbore crines, 
Heroumque actus, imitandaque gesta canebat, 
Et chaos, et positi lat& fundamina mundi, 
Reptantesque deos, et alentes numina glandes, 
Et nondum iEtneo quaesitum fulmen ab antro. 
Denique quid vocis modulamen inane juvabit, 
Verborum sensusque vacans, numerique loquacis ? 
Silvestres decet iste choros, non Orphea cantus, 
Qui tenuit fluvios et quercubus addidit aures 
Carmine, non cithara, simulachraque functa canendo 
Compulit in lacrymas ; habet has a carmine laudes. 

Nee tu perge precor sacras contemnere Musas, 
Nee vanas inopesque puta, quarum ipse peritus 
Munere, mille sonos numeros componis ad aptos, 
Millibus et vocem modulis variare canoram 
Doctus, Arionii meritb sis nominis hseres. 
Nunc tibi quid mirum, si me genuisse poetam 
Contigerit, charo si tarn prope sanguine juncti 
Cognatas artes, studiumque affine sequamur ? 
Ipse volens Phoebus se dispertire duobus, 
Altera dona mihi, dedit altera dona parenti, 
Dividuumque Deum genitorque puerque tenemus. 

Tu tamen ut simules teneras odisse Camoenas, 
Non odisse reor, neque enim, pater, ire jubebas 
Qua. via lata patet, qua pronior area lucri 
Certaque condendi fulget spes aurea numrai „ 
Nee rapis ad leges, male custoditaque gentis 
Jura, nee insulsis damnas clamoribus aures. 
Sed magis excultam cupiens ditescere mentem 
Me procul urbano strepitu, secessibus altis 



SILVARUM LIBER. 515 

Abductum Aonise jucunda per otia ripae 
Phoebseo lateri comitem finis ire beatum. 
Officium chari taceo commune parentis, 
Me poscunt majora, tuo pater optime sumptu 
Ciim mibi Romuiese patuit facundia linguae, 
Et Latii veneres, et quae Jovis ora decebant 
Grandia magniloquis elata vocabula Graiis, 
Addere suasiste quos jactat Gallia flores, 
Et quam degeneri novus Italus ore loquelam 
Fundit, barbariscos testatus voce tumultus, 
Quaeque Palaestinus loquitur mysteria vates. 
Denique quicquid habet coelum, subjectaque coelo 
Terra parens, terraeque et coelo interfluus aer, 
Quicquid et unda tegit, pontique agitabile marmor, 
Per te nosse licet, per te, si nosse libebit. 
Dimotaque venit spectanda scientia nube, 
Nudaque conspicuos inclinat ad oscula vultus, 
Ni fugisse velim, ni sit libasse molestum. 

I nunc, confer opes quisquis malesanus avitas 
Austriaci gazas, Periianaque regna praeoptas. 
Quae potuit majora pater tribuisse, vei ipse 
Jupiter, excepto, donasset ut omnia, coelo ? 
Non potiora dedit, quamvis et tuta fuissent, 
Publica qui juveni commisit lumina nato 
At que Hyperionios currus, et fraena diei, 
Et circum undantem radiata luce tiaram. 
Ergo ego jam doctae pars quamlibet ima catervae 
Victrices hederas inter, laurosque sedebo, 
Jamque nee obscurus populo miscebor inerti, 
Vitabunque oculos vestigia nostra profanos. 
Este procul vigiles curae, procul este querelae, 
Invidiaeque acies transverso tortilis hirquo, 
Saeva nee anguiferos extende calumnia rictus : 
in me triste nihil foedissima turba potestis, 
Nee vestri sum juris ego ; securaque tutus 
Pectora, vipereo gradiar sublimis ab ictu. 

At tibi, chare pater, postquam non aequa merenti 
Posse referre datur, nee dona rependere factis, 
Sit memorasse satis, repetitaque munera grato 
Percensere animo, fidaeque reponere menti. 

Et vos, O nostri, juvenilia carmina, lusus, 
Si modo perpetuos sperare audebitis annos, 
Et domini superesse rogo, lucemque tueri, 
Nee spisso rapient oblivia nigra sub Oreo, 
Forsitan has laudes, decantatumque parentis 
Nomen, ad exemplum, sero servabitis aevo. 

2l2 



516 SILVARUM LIBER. 

Ad Salsillum Poetam Romanum ctgrotantem. 

SCAZCNTES. 

O Musa gressum quae volens trahis claudum, 
Vulcanioque tarda gaudes incessu, 
Nee sentis illud in loco minus gratum, 
Quam cum decentes flava Deiope suras 
Alternat aureum ante Junonis tectum, 
Adesdum et haec s'is verba pauca Salsillo 
Refer, Camoena nostra cui tantum est cordi, 
Quamque ille magnis prsetulit immerito divis. 
Hsec ergo alumnis ille Londini Milto, 
Diebus hisce qui suum linquens nidum 
Polique tractum, (pessimus ubi ventoruni. 
In sanientis impotensque pulmonis 
Pernix anliela sub Jove exercet fiabra) 
Venet feraces Itali soli ad glebas, 
Visum superba cognitas urbes fama 
Virosque doctseque indolem juventutis, 
Tibi optat idem hie fausta multa Salsille, 
Habitumque fesso corpori penitus sanum ; 
Cui nunc profunda bilis infestat renes, 
Prsecordiisque fixa damnosum spirat. 
Nee id pepercit impia qu6d tu Romano 
Tarn cultus ore Lesbium condis melos. 
O dulce divum munus, O salus Hebes 
Germana ! Tuque Phoebe morborum terror 
Pythone Caeso, sive tu magis Paean 
Libenter audis, hie tuus sacerdos est. 
Querceta Fauni, vosque rore vinoso 
Colles benigni, mitis Evandri sedes, 
Siquid salubre vallibus frondet vestris, 
Lavemen a&gro ferte certatim vati. 
Sic ille charis redditus rursum Musis 
Vicina dulci prata mulcebit cantu. 
Ipse inter atros emirabitur lucos 
Numa, ubi beatum degit otium aeternum, 
Suam reclivis semper ifegeriam spectans. 
Tumidusque et ipse Tibris hinc delinitus 
Spei bavebit annuae colonorum : 
Nee in sepulchris ibit obsessum reges 
Nimium sinistro laxus irruens loro : 
Sed fraena melius temperabit undarum, 
Adusque curvi falsa regna Portumni. 



SILVAR'JM LIBER. 5H 



Joannes Baptista Mansus Marchio Vilensis, vir 
ingenii laude, turn litterarum studio, necnon et 
bellica virtute apud Italos clarus in primis est. Ad 
quern Torquati Tassi dialogus extat dc Amicitia 
scriptus ; erat enim Tassi amicissimus ; ah quo 
etiam inter Campania prineipes celebratur, in illo 
poemate cui titulus Gerusalemme Conquistata, 
lib 20. 

Fra cavalier magnanimi, e Corteci 
Risplende il Manso 

Is authorem Neapoli commorantem summa benevolen- 
tia prosecutus est, multaque ei detulit humanitatis 
officio.. Ad hunc itaque hospes Me antequam ab ea 
urbe discederet, ut ne ingratum se ostenderat, hoc 
carmen misit. 

Haec quoque Manse tuae meditantur carmina laudi 
Pierides, tibi Manse choro notissime Phoebi, 
Quandoquidem ille alium haud aequo est dignatus 
Post Galli cineres et Mecaenatis Hetrusci [honore, 
Tu quoque, si nostras tantum valet aura Camoenae, 
Vietrices hederas inter, laurosque sedebis. 
Te pridem magno felix concordia Tasso 
Junxit, et aeternis inscripsit nomina chartis. 
Mox tibi dulciloquam non inscia Musa Marinum 
Tradidit, ille tuum dici se gaudet alumnum, 
Dum canit Assyrios divum prolixus amores ; 
Mollis et Ausonias stupefecit carmine nymphas. 
Ille itidem moriens tibi soli debita vates 
Ossa tibi soli, supremaque vota reliquit. 
Nee manes pietas tua chara fefellit amici, 
Vidimus aridentem operoso ex aere poetam. [sant 
Nee satis hoc visum est in utrumque, et nee pia ces- 
Officia in tumulo, cupis integros repere Oreo, 
Qua potes, atqua avidas Parcarum eludere leges : 
Amborum genus, et varia sub sorte peractam 
Describis vitam, moresque, et dona Minervas ; 
iEmulus illius Mycalen qui natus ad altam 
Rettulit iEolii vitam facundus Homeri, 
Ergo ego te Clius et magni nomine Phoebi, 
Manse pater, jubeo longum salvere per sevum 
Missus Hyperboreo juvenis peregrinus ab axe. 
Nee tu longinquam bonus aspeinabare Musam 
Quae nuper gelida vix enutrita sub Arcto 
Imprudens Italas ausa est volitare oer urbes. 



18 S1LVARUM LIBER. 

Nos etiam in nostro modulantes flumine cygnos 
Credimus obscuras noctis sensisse per umbras, 
Qua Thamesis late puris argenteus urnis 
Oceani Glaucos perfundit gurgite crines. 
Quin et in has quondam pervenit Tityrus oras. 
Sed neque nos genus incultum, nee inutile Phoebo, 
Qua plaga septeno mundi sulcata Trione 
Brumalem patitur longa sub nocte Booten. 
Nos etiam colimus Phoebum, nos munera Phoebo, 
Flaventes spicas, et lutea mala canistris, 
Halantemque crocum (perhibit nisi vana vetustas) 
Misimus, et lectas Druidum de gente choreas. 
(Gens Druides antiqua sacris operata deorum 
Heroum laudes imitandaque gesta canebant) 
Hinc quoties festo cingunt altaria cantu 
Delo in herbosa. Graise de more puellse 
Carminibus lsetis memorant Corineida Loxo, 
Fatadicamque Upin, cum flavicoma. Hecaerge, 
Nuda Caledonio variatas pectora fuco. 
Fortunate senex, ergo quacunque per orbem 
Torquati decus, et nomen celebrabitur ingens, 
Claraque perpetui succrescet fama Marini, 
Tu quoque in ora frequens venies plausumque 
Et parili carpes iter immortale volatu. [virorum, 
Dicetur turn sponte tuos habitasse penates 
Cynthius, et famulas vinesse ad limina Musas : 
At non sponte domum tamen idem, et regis adivit 
Rura Pheretiadse coelo fugitivus Apollo ; 
Ille licet magnum Alciden susceperat hospes ; 
Tant&m ubi clamosos placuit vitare bubulcos, 
Nobile mansueti cessit Chironis in antrum, 
Irriguous inter saltus frondosaque tecta 
Peneium prope rivum : ibi ssepe sub ilice nigra 
Ad citharse strepitum blanda prece victus amici 
Exilii duros lenibat voce labores. 
Turn neque ripa suo, barathro nex fixa sub imo 
Saxa stetere loco, nutat Trachinia rupes, 
Nee sentit solitas, immania pondera, silvas, 
Emotseque suis properant de collibus orni, 
Mulcenturque novo maculosi carmine lynces. 
Diis delecte senex, te Jupiter sequus oportet 
Nascentem, et miti lustrarit lumine Phoebus, 
Atlantisque nepos ; neque enim nisi charus ab ortu 
Diis superis poterit magno favisse poetse. 
Mine longseva tibi lento sub flore senectus 
Vernat, et iEsonios lucratur vivida fusos, 
Nondum deciduos scrvans tibi ftontis honoves, 



SILVARUM LIBER. 5)3 

Ingeniumque vigens, et adultum mentis acumen. 
O mihi si mea sors talem concedat amicum 
Phcebseos decorasse viros jui tarn bene norit, 
Si quando indigenas evocabo in carmine reges, 
Arturumque etiam sub terris bella moventem ; 
Aut dicum invictse sociali foedere mensrc 
Magnanimos Hero as, et (O modo spiritus adsit) 
Frangam Saxonicas Britonem sub Marte phalanges. 
Tandem ubi non tacitae permensus tempore vitae, 
Annorumque satur cineri sua juro relinquam, 
Ille mihi lecto madidis astaret ocellis, 
Astanti sat erat si dicam sim tibi curse; 
Ille meos artus liventi morte solutos 
Curaret parvet componi moliter urna. 
Forsitan et nostros ducat de marmore vultus, 
Nectens aut Paphia myrti aut Parnasside lauri 
Fronde comas, at ego secura pace quiescam. 
Turn quoque, si qua fides, si prsemia certa bonorum, 
Ipse ego cselicolum semotus in sethera divum, 
Quo labor et mens pura vehunt, atque ignea virtus, 
Secreti hsec aliqua mundi de parte videbo 
(Quantum fata sinunt) et tota menta serenum 
Ridens purpureo suffundar lumine vultus, 
Et simul sethereo plaudam mihi Isetus Olympo. 



EPITAPHIUM DAMONIS. 

ARGUMENTUM. 

Thyrsis et Damon ejusdem vicinias pastores, eadem studia secuti a 
pueritia amici erant, ut qui plurimum. Thyrsis animi causa pro- 
fectus peregre de obitu Damonis nuncium accepit. Domum postea 
reversus, et rem ita esse comperto, se, suamque solitudinem hoc 
carmine deplorat. Damonis autem sub persona hie intelligitur 
Carolus Deodatus ex urbe Hetrurias Luca paterno genere oriundus, 
caetera Anglus ; ingenio, doctrina, clarissimisque caeteris virtutibus, 
dum viverit, juvenis egregius. 

Himerides nymphse (dam vos et Daphnin et 
Et plorata diu meministis fata Bionis) [Hylan, 
Dicite Sicelicum Thamesina per oppida carmen : 
Quas miser effudit voces, quae murmura Thyrsis, 
Et quibus assiduis exercuit antra querelis, 
Fluminaque, fontesquevagos, memorumque recessus, 
Dum sibi prsereptum queritur Damona, neque altam 
Luctibus exemit noctem loca sola pererrans. 
Et jam bis viride surgebat calmus arista, 
Et totidem flavas numerabant horrea messes, 



520 SILVARUM LIBER. 

Ex quo summa dies tulerat Damona sub umbras, 
Nee dum aderat Thyrsis ; pastorem scilicet ilium 
Dulcis amor Musse Thusca retinebat in urbe. 
Ast ubi mens expleta domum, peconsque relicti 
Cura vocat, simul assueta seditque sub ulmo, 
Turn verb amissum turn denique sentit amicum, 
Ccepit et immensum sic exonerare dolorem. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Hei mihi ! quae terris, quae dicam numina ccelo, 
Postquam te immiti rapuerunt funere Damon ! 
Siccine nos linquis, tua sic sine nomine virtus 
Ibit, et obscuris numero sociabitur umbris ? 
At non ille, animas virga. qui dividit aurea, 
Ista velit, dignumque tui de ducat in agmen, 
Ignavumque procul pecus arceatomne silentum. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni, 
Quicquid erit, certe nisi me lupus ante videbit, 
Indeplorato non comminuere sepulchro, 
Constabitque tuus tibi honos, longumque vigebit 
Inter pastores : Illi tibi vota secundo 
Solvere post Daphnin, post Daphnin dicerelaudes 
Gaudebunt, dum rura Pales, dum Faunus amabit : 
Si quid id est, priscamque fidem coluisse, piumque, 
Palladiasque artes, sociumque habuisse canorum. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni 
Haectibicertamanent,tib ; erunt hsecpraemia Damon, 
At mihi quid tandem fiet modo ? quis mihi fidus 
Hserebit lateri comes, ut tu ssepe solebas 
Frigoribus duris, et per loca fceta pruinis, 
Aut rapido sub sole, siti morientibus herbis ? 
Sive opus in magnos fuit eminus ire leones, 
Aut avidos terrere lupos praesepibus altis ; 
Quis fando sopire diem, cantuque solebit ? 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Pectora cui credam ? quis me lenire docebit 
Mordaces curas, quis longam fallere noctem 
Dulcibus alloquiis, grato cum sibilat igni [auster 
Molle pyrum, et nucibus strepitat focus, et malus 
Miscet cuncta foris, et desuper intonat ulmo ? 

Ite domum impasti domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Aut sestate, dies medio dum veritur axe, 
Cum Pan seseulea somnum capit abditus umbra, 
Et repetunt sub aquis sibi nota sedilia nymphse, 
Pastoresque latent, stertit sub sepe colonus, 
Quis mihi blanditiasque tuas, quis turn mihi risus, 
Cecropiosque sales referet, cultosque lepores? 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 



SILVARUM L1BE&. 621 

At jam sol. is agios, jam pascua solus oberro, 
Sicubi ramosae densantuir vallibus umbrae, 
Hie serum expecto, supra caput imber et Eurus 
Triste sonant, fracteeque agitata erepuscula sylvae. 
Tte domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni, 
Heu quam culta mihi prius arva procacibus herbis 
Involvuntur, et ipse situ seges alta fatiscit ! 
Innuba neglecto marcescit et uva racemo, 
Nee myrteta juvant ; ovium quoque taedet, at illae 
Moerent, inque suum convertunt ora magistrum. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Tityrus ad Corylos vocat, Alphesiboeus ad ornos, 
Ad salices Aegon, ad flumina pulcher Amyntas, 
Hie gelidi fontes, hie illita gramina musco. 
Hie Zephyri, hie placidas inttrersepit arbutas undas ; 
Ista canunt surdo, frutices ego nactus abibam. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni 
Mopsus ad haec, nam me redeuntem forte notarat, 
(Et callebat avium linguas, et sidere Mopsus) 
Thyrsi quid hoc? dixit, quae te coquit improba bilis ? 
Aut te perdit amor, aut te male fascinat astrum, 
Saturni grave saepe ftiit pastoribus astrum, 
Intimaque obliquo figit praecordia plumbo. 

Ite domum impasti domino jam non vacat, agni, 
Mirantur nymphae, et quid te Thyrsi futurum est ? 
Quid tibi vis? aiunt, non haec solet esse juventae 
Nubila frons, oculique truces, vultusque severi, 
Ilia choros, lususque leves, et semper amorem 
Jure petit, bis ille miser qui serus amavit. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Venit Hyas, Dryopeque, et filia Baucidis Aegle 
Docta modos, cithraeque sciens, sed perdita fastu, 
Venit Idumanii Chloris vicina fluenti ; 
Nil me blanditia, nil me solantia verba, 
Nil me, si quid adest, movet, aut spes ulla futuri. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni 
Hei mihi quam similes ludunt per prata juvenci, 
Omnes unanimi secum sibi lege sodales, 
Nee magis hunc alio quisquam secernit amicuni 
De grege, si densi veniunt ad pabula thoes, 
Inque vicem hirsuti paribus junguntur onagri ; 
Lex eadem pelagi, deserto in littore Proteus 
Agmina phocarum numerat, vilisque volucrum 
Passer habet semper quicum sit, et omnia circum 
Fctrra iibens volitet, sero sua tecta revisens, 
Quern si sors letho objecit, seu milvus adunco 
Fata tulit rostro, seu stravit arundine fossor, 



522 SILVARUM LIBER. 

Protinus ille alium socio petit inde volatu. 
Nos durum genus, et diris exercita fatis 
Gens homines aliena animis, et pectore diseors, 
Vix sibi quisque parem de millibus invenit unura, 
Aut si sors dederit tandem non aspere votis, 
filum inopina dies qua non speraveris hora 
Surripit, seternum linquens in ssecula damnum. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Heu quis me ignotas traxit vagus error in oras 
Ire per aereas rupes, Alpemque nivosam ! 
Ecquid erat tanti Romam vidisse sepultam, 
(Quamvis ilia foret, qualem dum viseret olim, 
Tityrus ipse suas et oves et rura reliquit ;) 
Ut te tarn dulci possem caruisse sodale, 
Possem tot maria ulta, tot interponere montes, 
Tot sylvas, tot saxa tibi, fluviosque sonantes ! 
Ah certe extremium lieuisset tangere dextram, 
Et bene compositos placide morientis ocellos, 
Et dixisse vale, nostri memor ibis ad astra. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Quamquam etiamvestri nunquammeminissepigebit, 
Pastores Thusei, Musis operata juventus, (_mon 
Hie Charis, atque Lepos ; et Thuscus tu quoque Da- 
Antiqua. genus unde petis Lucumonis ab urbe. 
O ego quantus eram, gelidi cum stratus ad Ami 
Murmura, populeumque nemus, qua mollior herba, 
Carpere nunc violas, nunc summas carpere myrtos, 
Et potui Lycidse certantem audire Menalcam. 
Ipse etiam tentare ausus sum, nee puto multum 
Displicui, nam sunt et apud me munera vestra 
Fiscellse, cathalique, et cerea vincla cicutae, 
Quin et nostra suas docuerunt nomina fagos 
Et Datis, et Francinus, erant et vocibus ambo 
Et studiis noti, Lydorum sanguinis ambo. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Haec mihi turn laeto dictabat roscida luna, 
Dum solus teneros claudebam cratibus hoedos. 
Ah quoties dixi, cum te cinis ater habebat, 
Nunc canit, aut lepori nunc tendit ratio Damon, 
Vimina nunc texit, varios sibi quod sit in usus '. 
Et quae turn facili sperabam mente futura 
Arripui voto levis, et preesentia finxi, 
Heus bone numquid agis ? nisi te quid forte retardat, 
Imus ? et arguta paulum recubamus in umbra, 
Aut ad aquas Colni, aut ubi jugera Cassibelauni? 
Tu mihi percurres medicos,tuagramina, succos, [cinthi, 
Helleborumque, humilesque crocos, foliumque hya- 



SILVARUM LIBER. 523 

Quasque habet ista palus herbas, artesque medentftm. 
Ah pereant herbae, pereant artesque medentum, 
Gramina, postquam ipsi nil profecere magistro. 
Ipse etiam, nam nescio quid mihi grande sonabat 
Fistula, ab undecim&l jam lux est altere nocte, 
Et turn forte novis adm6ram labra circutis, 
Dissiluere tamen raptit compage, nee ultra 
Ferre graves potuere sonos, dubito quoque ne sim 
Turgid ulus, tamen et referam, vos credite sylvse. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Ipse ego Dardanias Rutupina per sequora puppes 
Dicam, et Pandrasidos regnum vetus Inogenise,] num. 
Brennumque Arvigarumque duces, priscumque Beli- 
Et tandem Armoricos Britonum sub lege colonos ; 
Turn gravidam Arturo fatali fraude Iogernen, 
Mendaces vultus, assumptaque Gorlois arma, 
Merlini dolus. O mihi turn si vita supersit, 
Tu procul annosa pendebis fistula pinu 
Multum oblita mihi, aut patriis mutata Camoenis 
Brittonicum strides, quid enim ? omnia non licet uni, 
Non sperasse uni licet omnia, mi satis ampla 
Merces, et mihi grande decus (sim ignotus in gevum 
Turn licet, externo penitusque inglorius orbi) 
Si me flava comas legat Usa, et potor Alauni, 
Vorticibusque frequens Abra, et nemus omneTreantse, 
Et Thamesis meus ante omnes, et fusca metallis 
Tamara, et extremis me discant Orcades undis. 

Ite domum impasti, domino jam non vacat, agni. 
Haec tibi servabam lenta sub cortice lauri, 
Haec, et plura simul, turn quae mihi pocula Mansus, 
Mansus Chalcidicae non ultima gloria ripse, 
Bina dedit, mirum artis opus, mirandus et ipse, 
Et circum gemino caelaverat argumento : 
In medio rubri maris unda, et odoriferum ver, 
Littora longa Arabum, et sudantes balsama sylvae. 
Has inter Phoenix divina avis, unica terris 
Cseruleum fulgens diversicoloribus alis 
Auroram vitreis surgentem respicit undis. 
Parte alia polus omnipatens, et magnus Olympus, 
Quis putet? hie quoque Amor pictseque in nubepha- 
Arma corusca faces, et spicula tincta pyropo ; [retrce 
Nee tenues animas, pectusque ignobile vulgi 
Hinc ferit, at circum flammantia lumina torquens 
Semper in erectum spargit sua tela per orbes 
Impigar, et pronos nunquam collimat ad ictus 
Hinc mentes ardere sacrae, formaeque deorum. 



524 S1LVARUM LIBER. 

Tu quoque in his, nee me fallit spes lubrica, Damon 
Tu quoque in his certe es, nam quo tua dulcis abiret 
Sanctaque simplicitas, nam quo tua Candida virtus ? 
Nee te Lethseo fas quaesivisse sub orco, 
Nee tibi conveniunt lacrymae, nee flebimus ultra, 
Ite procul lacrymae, purum colit aethera Damon, 
iEthera purus habet, pluvium pede reppulit arcum ; 
Heroumque animas inter, divosque perennes, 
iEthereos haurit latices et gaudia potat 
Ore sacro. Quin tu cceli post jura recepta 
Dexter ades, placidusque fave quicunque vocaris, 
Seu tu noster eris Damon, sive aequior audis 
Diodotus, quo te divino nomine cuncti 
Ccelicolae norint, sylvisque vocabere Damon. 
Quod tibi purpures pudor, et sine labe j.uventus 
Grata fuit, quod nulla tori, libata voluptas, 
En etiam tibi virginei servantur honores ; 
Ipse caput nitidum cinctus rutilante corona, 
Lsetaque frond en tis gestans umbracula palmae 
iEternum perages immortales hymenseos; 
Cantus ubi, choreisque furit lyra mista beatis, 
Festa Sioneeo bacchantur et Orgia Thyrso. 

JAN. 23, 1646. AD JOANNEM ROUSIUM OXONIENSIS 
ACADEMIC BIBLIOTHECARIUM. 

De libro Poematum amisso, quern Me sibi denuo mitti 
postulabit ut cum aliis noslris in bibliotheca re- 
porter et, Ode. 

STROPHE I. 

Gemelle cultu simplici gaudens liber, 

Fronde licet gemina, 

Munditieque nitens non operosa, 

Quam manus attulit 

Juvenilis olim, 

Sedula tamen haud nimii poetae ; 

Dum vagus Ausonias nunc per umbras, 

Nunc Britannica per vireta lusit 

Insons populi, barbitoque devius 

Indulsit patrio, mox itidem pectine Daunio 

Longinquum intonuit melos 

Vicinis, et hummum vix tetigit pede ; 



SILVARUM LIBER. 525 



ANTISTROrHE. 



Quis te parve liber, quis te fratribnfi 
Subduxit reliquis dolo ? 
Cum tu missus ab urbe, 
Docto jugiter obsecrante amico, 
Illustre tendebas iter 
Thamesis ad incunabula 
Cserulei patris, 
Fontes ubi limpidi 
Aonidem, thyasusque sacer 
Orbi notus per immensos 
Temporum lapsus redeunte ccelo, 
Celeberque futurus in aevum ; 

STROPHE II. 

Mod6 quis deus, aut editus deo 

Pristinam gentis miseratus indolem 

(Si satis noxas luimus priores, 

Mollique luxu degener otium) 

Tollat nefandos civium tumultus, 

Almaque revocet studia sanctus, 

Et relegatas sine sede Musas 

Jam pede totis finibus Angligenum ; 

Immundasque volucres 

Unguibus imminentes 

Figat Apolinea pharetra 

Phineamque abigat pestem procul amne Pegaseo 

Quin tu, libelle, nuncii licet mala 

Fide, vel oscitantia, 

Semel erraveris agmine fratrum, 

Seu quis te teneat specus, 

Seu que te latebra, forsan unde vili 

Calo tereris institoris infulsi^ 

Laetare felix, en iterum tibi 

Spes nova fulget posse profundam 

Fugere Lethen, vehique superam 

In Jo vis aulam remige penna ; 

STROPHE III. 

Nam te Rousius sui 
Optat peculi, numeroque justo 
Sibi pollisitum queritur abesse, 
Rogatque venias ille cujus inclyta 
Sunt data virum monumenta curse : 
Teque aditis etiam sacris 



526 SILVARUM LIKRR. 

Voluit reponi, quibus et ipse praesidet 
iEternorum operum custos fidelis, 
Quaestorque gazae nobilioris, 
Quam cui praefuit Ion 
Clarus Erectheides 
O pulenta dei per templa parentis 
Fulvosque tripodas, donaque Delphica, 
Ion Actaea genitus Creusa. 

ANTISTROPHE. 

Ergo tu visere lucos 

Musarum ibis amoenos, 

Diamque Phoebi rursus ibis in domum, 

Oxonia quam valle colit 

Delo posthabita, 

Bifidbque Parnassi jugo ; 

Ibis honestus, 

Postquam egregiam tu quoque sortem 

Nactus abis, dextri prece sollicitatus amici 

Illic legeris inter alta nomina 

Authorum, Graiae simul et Latinae 

Antique gentis lumina, et verum decus. 



Vos tandem haud vacui mei labores, 

Quicquid hoc sterile fudit ingenium, 

Jam ser6 placidam sperare jubeo 

Perfunctam invidia requiem, sedesque beatas 

Quas bonus Hermes 

Et tutela dabit solers Roiisi, 

Quo neque lingua procax vulgi penetrabit, atque 

Turba legentum prava facesset ; [longe 

At ultimi nepotes, 

Et cordatior aetas 

Judicia rebus aequiora forsitan 

Adhibebit integro sinu. 

Turn livore sepulto, 

Si quid meremur sana posteritas sciet 

Roiisio favente. 

Ode tribus constat Strophis, totidemque Antistro- 
phis, una demum EpodO clausis, quas, tametsi omnes 
nee versuum numero, nee certis ubique colis exacte 
respondeant, ita tamen secuimus, commode legendi 
potius, quam ad antiquos concinendi modos rationem 
spectantes. Alioquin hoc genus rectius fortasse dici 
monostrophicum debuerat. Metra partim sunt K ara 



S1LVARUM LIBER. 527 

<r^i(riv, partim d7ro\(\vfisva. Phaleucia quae sunt 
Spondaeum tertio loco bis admittunt, quod iidem in 
secundo loco Catullus ad libitum fecit. 

AD CHRISTINAM SUECORUM REGINAM NOMINE 
CROMWELLI. 

Bellipotens Virgo, septem Regina Trionum, 

Christina, Arctoi lucida Stella poli, 
Cernis quas merui dura sub casside rugas, 

Utque senex armis impiger ora tero ; 
Invia fatorum dum per vestigia nitor, 

Exequor et populi fortia jussa manu. 
Ast tibi submitlit frontem reverentior umbra ; 

Nee sunt hi vultus Regibus usque truces. 



J. BILLING, 

PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 

ATOKING, SURREY. 



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